Evolution of the mutation rate across primates. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chintalapati, Manjusha; Moorjani, Priya
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in genetics & development. Volume 62(2020)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 64
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Genetics -- Periodicals; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; Developmental genetics -- Periodicals; 576.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.05.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-437X

Abstract

Abstract : Germline mutations are the source of all heritable variation. In the past few years, whole genome sequencing has allowed direct and comprehensive surveys of mutation patterns in humans and other species. These studies have documented substantial variation in both mutation rates and spectra across primates, the causes of which remain unclear. Here, we review what is currently known about mutation rates in primates, highlight the factors proposed to explain the variation across species, and discuss some implications of these findings on our understanding of the chronology of primate evolution and the process of mutagenesis.