Nature Research, Nature Reviews Genetics, 8(2), p. 597-606, 2001
DOI: 10.1038/35084545
Full text: Unavailable
'Selfish genetic elements', such as transposons, homing endonucleases, meiotic drive chromosomes and heritable microorganisms, are common features of eukaryotes. However, their importance in the evolution of eukaryotic genomes is still controversial. In this review, we discuss these diverse elements and their potential importance in the evolution of genetic systems, adaptation, and the extinction and birth of species.