Evolution: constantly avoiding mutation

Curr Biol. 2001 Nov 13;11(22):R929-31. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(01)00557-7.

Abstract

The genomic mutation rate of the archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, which inhabits a harsh and potentially mutagenic environment, surprisingly agrees well with the previously observed constancy of genomic mutation rates in microbes. The evolutionary explanation for this constancy of genomic mutation rates remains obscure.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Archaeal Proteins*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Genome, Archaeal
  • Mutation*
  • Orotic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Orotic Acid / pharmacology
  • Sulfolobus acidocaldarius / drug effects
  • Sulfolobus acidocaldarius / genetics*

Substances

  • Archaeal Proteins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • pyrF protein, Archaeal
  • Orotic Acid
  • 5-fluoroorotic acid