Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2015
Publication Title
Current Opinion in Genetics and Development
Abstract
Genome architecture varies considerably among eukaryotes in terms of both size and structure (e.g. distribution of sequences within the genome, elimination of DNA during formation of somatic nuclei). The diversity in eukaryotic genome architectures and the dynamic processes are only possible due to the well-developed epigenetic toolkit, which probably existed in the Last Eukaryotic Common Ancestor (LECA). This toolkit may have arisen as a means of navigating the genomic conflict that arose from the expansion of transposable elements within the ancestral eukaryotic genome. This toolkit has been coopted to support the dynamic nature of genomes in lineages across the eukaryotic tree of life. Here we highlight how the changes in genome architecture in diverse eukaryotes are regulated by epigenetic processes, such as DNA elimination, genome rearrangements, and adaptive changes to genome architecture. The ability to epigenetically modify and regulate genomes has contributed greatly to the diversity of eukaryotes observed today.
Volume
35
First Page
93
Last Page
99
DOI
10.1016/j.gde.2015.10.005
ISSN
0959437X
Recommended Citation
Maurer-Alcalá, Xyrus X. and Katz, Laura A., "An Epigenetic Toolkit Allows for Diverse Genome Architectures in Eukaryotes" (2015). Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/bio_facpubs/96
Comments
Peer reviewed accepted manuscript.