The road not taken: Could stress-specific mutations lead to different evolutionary paths?

PLoS Biol. 2017 Jun 8;15(6):e2002862. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2002862. eCollection 2017 Jun.

Abstract

Organisms often encounter stressful conditions, some of which damage their DNA. In response, some organisms show a high expression of error-prone DNA repair machinery, causing a temporary increase in the genome-wide mutation rate. Although we now have a detailed map of the molecular mechanisms underlying such stress-induced mutagenesis (SIM), it has been hotly debated whether SIM alters evolutionary dynamics. Key to this controversy is our poor understanding about which stresses increase mutagenesis and their long-term consequences for adaptation. In a new study with Escherichia coli, Maharjan and Ferenci show that while only some nutritional stresses (phosphorous and carbon limitation) increase total mutation rates, each stress generates a unique spectrum of mutations. Their results suggest the potential for specific stresses to shape evolutionary dynamics and highlight the necessity for explicit tests of the long-term evolutionary impacts of SIM.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA Repair
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Gene-Environment Interaction*
  • Humans
  • Models, Genetic*
  • Mutagenesis*
  • Mutation Rate
  • Mutation*
  • Stress, Physiological*

Grants and funding

National Centre for Biological Sciences. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Department of Science and Technology, India (grant number IFA-13 LSBM-64, Inspire Faculty Award). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.