dorsal/arxiv
View Schema"Junk" DNA as a genetic decoy
| Authors | Joao Magueijo |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | q-bio/0310036 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/q-bio/0310036 |
Abstract
We propose that the evolutionary purpose of junk DNA is to protect the gene. Mutation agents, such as retro-viruses, hit ``decoy'' DNA most of the time. Although the argument is far from general, we propose that the percentage of junk DNA should correlate with the number of retroviruses attacking a given species. It should also anti-correlate with the ideal mutation rates (higher in insects than in mammals).
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"abstract": "We propose that the evolutionary purpose of junk DNA is to protect the gene.\nMutation agents, such as retro-viruses, hit ``decoy\u0027\u0027 DNA most of the time.\nAlthough the argument is far from general, we propose that the percentage of\njunk DNA should correlate with the number of retroviruses attacking a given\nspecies. It should also anti-correlate with the ideal mutation rates (higher in\ninsects than in mammals).",
"arxiv_id": "q-bio/0310036",
"authors": [
"Joao Magueijo"
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"title": "\"Junk\" DNA as a genetic decoy",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/q-bio/0310036"
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