Title | Evolution of a Higher Intracellular Oxidizing Environment in Caenorhabditis elegans under Relaxed Selection |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2013 |
Authors | Joyner-Matos, J, Hicks, KA, Cousins, D, Keller, M, Denver, DR, Baer, CF, Estes, S |
Journal | Plos One |
Volume | 8 |
Pagination | 6 |
Type of Article | Journal Article |
ISSN | 1932-6203 |
Abstract | We explored the relationship between relaxed selection, oxidative stress, and spontaneous mutation in a set of mutation-accumulation (MA) lines of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and in their common ancestor. We measured steady-state levels of free radicals and oxidatively damaged guanosine nucleosides in the somatic tissues of five MA lines for which nuclear genome base substitution and GC-TA transversion frequencies are known. The two markers of oxidative stress are highly correlated and are elevated in the MA lines relative to the ancestor; point estimates of the per-generation rate of mutational decay (DM) of these measures of oxidative stress are similar to those reported for fitness-related traits. Conversely, there is no significant relationship between either marker of oxidative stress and the per-generation frequencies of base substitution or GC-TA transversion. Although these results provide no direct evidence for a causative relationship between oxidative damage and base substitution mutations, to the extent that oxidative damage may be weakly mutagenic in the germline, the case for condition-dependent mutation is advanced. |
URL | <Go to ISI>://WOS:000320755400048 |
DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0065604 |