Nucleic acids movement and its relation to genome dynamics of repetitive DNA

• Published in: BioEssays Vol. 44; no. 4
• Main Authors: Kejnovsky, Eduard, Jedlicka, Pavel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.2022
• Subjects: DNA; genome dynamics; horizontal gene transfer; migration/movement; small RNA; transposable elements
• ISSN: 0265-9247; 1521-1878
• DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100242

There is growing evidence of evolutionary genome plasticity. The evolution of repetitive DNA elements, the major components of most eukaryotic genomes, involves the amplification of various classes of mobile genetic elements, the expansion of satellite DNA, the transfer of fragments or entire organellar genomes and may have connections with viruses. In addition to various repetitive DNA elements, a plethora of large and small RNAs migrate within and between cells during individual development as well as during evolution and contribute to changes of genome structure and function. Such migration of DNA and RNA molecules often results in horizontal gene transfer, thus shaping the whole genomic network of interconnected species. Here, we propose that a high evolutionary dynamism of repetitive genome components is often related to the migration/movement of DNA or RNA molecules. We speculate that the cytoplasm is probably an ideal compartment for such evolutionary experiments. The authors hypothesize that a high evolutionary dynamism of repetitive genome components is often related to the migration/movement of DNA or RNA molecules. This essay presents various examples of movement of transposable elements, satellite DNA, organellar DNA as well as small RNA molecules in the cell and between cells.