New Perspectives on the Evolution of Within-Individual Genome Variation and Germline/Soma Distinction.

Suh A, Dion-Côté AM

Genome Biol Evol 13 (6) - [2021-06-08; online 2021-05-09]

Genomes can vary significantly even within the same individual. The underlying mechanisms are manifold, ranging from somatic mutation and recombination, development-associated ploidy changes and genetic bottlenecks, over to programmed DNA elimination during germline/soma differentiation. In this perspective piece, we briefly review recent developments in the study of within-individual genome variation in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. We highlight a Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution 2020 virtual symposium entitled "Within-individual genome variation and germline/soma distinction" and the present Special Section of the same name in Genome Biology and Evolution, together fostering cross-taxon synergies in the field to identify and tackle key open questions in the understanding of within-individual genome variation.

PubMed 33963843

DOI 10.1093/gbe/evab095

Crossref 10.1093/gbe/evab095

pmc: PMC8245192
pii: 6272518