Cited by 1,025Evolution and Genetic DynamicsBacterial Genetics and BiotechnologyPhilosophy of Biology and Scientific Explanation

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The origin of mutants

Cairns, John, Overbaugh, Julie, Miller, Stephan·1988·Nature

DOI 10.1038/335142a0

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Abstract

Nucleic acids are replicated with conspicuous fidelity. Infrequently, however, they undergo changes in sequence, and this process of change (mutation) generates the variability that allows evolution. As the result of studies of bacterial variation, it is now widely believed that mutations arise continuously and without any consideration for their utility. In this paper, we briefly review the source of this idea and then describe some experiments suggesting that cells may have mechanisms for choosing which mutations will occur.

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The distribution of the numbers of mutants in bacterial populations
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“, when deprived of a required amino acid or when presented with an energy source that they cannot metabolize, has received attention recently because of the suggestion that the mutations that arise are in some way directed or adaptive (9, 13, 14).”
Background
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“However, recent evolutionary studies of bacteria have suggested that hypothetical adaptive mutations could be a process resembling Lamarckism, which, in the absence of lethal selection, produces mutations that relieve selective pressure (Cairns et al. 1988; Foster 2000).”
Background
Mechanisms of Genome‐Wide Hypermutation in Stationary Phasea
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“…system has been analyzed in most detail and in this system Lac mutant cells (Lac due to a 11 frameshift mutation in the lacI part of the fused lacIZ gene) incubated on lactose-containing medium accu- mulated mutations allowing them to grow on lactose (Cairns et al. 1988; Cairns and Foster 1991).”
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Authors: Cairns, J., Overbaugh, J., & Miller, S.
Affiliations: Harvard University (US)
ORCID: Cairns, John
Overbaugh, Julie
Venue: Nature
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 1988-09
Volume: 335
Issue: 6186
Pages: 142-145
ISSN: 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
1476-4687
DOI: 10.1038/335142a0
OpenAlex: W2043748488
Cited by: 1,025
References: 0
Citations by year: 2026: 8 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 29
FWCI: 25.69
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Nature (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy of Biology and Scientific Explanation
Keywords: genetic mutations, bacterial variation, mutation rate, genetic variation, evolution
MeSH terms: Arabinose, Escherichia coli, Biological Evolution, Genes, Bacterial, Lactose, Models, Genetic, Mutation, Operon, Selection, Genetic, Genetic Variation

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