Mitochondrial whims: metabolic rate,longevity and the rate of molecular evolution |
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Authors: | Nicolas Galtier Richard W Jobson Beno?t Nabholz Sylvain Glémin Pierre U Blier |
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Institution: | 1.Institut des Sciences de l''Evolution, CNRS UMR 5554, Université Montpellier 2, Place E. Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier, France;2.Département de Biologie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300 allée des ursulines, Rimouski, Québec, Canada G5L 3A1 |
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Abstract: | The evolutionary rate of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is highly variable across lineages in animals, and particularly in mammals. This variation has been interpreted as reflecting variations in metabolic rate: mitochondrial respiratory activity would tend to generate mutagenic agents, thus increasing the mutation rate. Here we review recent evidence suggesting that a direct, mechanical effect of species metabolic rate on mtDNA evolutionary rate is unlikely. We suggest that natural selection could act to reduce the (somatic) mtDNA mutation rate in long-lived species, in agreement with the mitochondrial theory of ageing. |
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Keywords: | ageing mutation substitution soma antagonistic pleiotropy reactive oxygen species |
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