The DOI matches its Crossref record; 1 of the 1 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
The origin of mutants
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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In the citing paper
“Recently there has been evidence that a big role in phenotypic delay may be played by chromosome segregation in quickly dividing cells [21,58].”
From Efficient, robust, and versatile fluctuation data analysis using MLE MUtation Rate calculator (mlemur) (2023) · cites this paper as [21]
In the citing paper
“Simulations performed in the same study suggest that effective polyploidy combined with recessive mutation does not influence mutation rate estimation simply because increased chance of mutation caused by polyploidy cancels out with the phenotypic delay caused by incomplete chromosome segregation [21].”
From Efficient, robust, and versatile fluctuation data analysis using MLE MUtation Rate calculator (mlemur) (2023) · cites this paper as [21]
In the citing paper
“A phenotypic lag (the phenomenon of delayed expression of a scorable phenotype post mutation due to the necessity to accumulate mutant protein product at sufficient level) is also widespread with mutations causing antibiotic resistance, yet rarely accounted for (Figure 1D) [20,21].”
From Efficient, robust, and versatile fluctuation data analysis using MLE MUtation Rate calculator (mlemur) (2023) · cites this paper as [21]
In the citing paper
“Rif R phenotypic lag of in E. coli has been estimated to be 4-5 generations [21].”
From Efficient, robust, and versatile fluctuation data analysis using MLE MUtation Rate calculator (mlemur) (2023) · cites this paper as [21]
Citations
Cites
The distribution of the numbers of mutants in bacterial populations
Lea, D. E., & Coulson, C. A. (1949) · Journal of Genetics · doi:10.1007/bf02986080 · Cited by 1,450
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Turning a hobby into a job: How duplicated genes find new functions
Conant, G. C., & Wolfe, K. H. (2008) · Nature Reviews Genetics · doi:10.1038/nrg2482 · Cited by 1,281
A constant rate of spontaneous mutation in DNA-based microbes.
Drake, J. W. (1991) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.88.16.7160 · Cited by 1,199
Cellulase, Clostridia, and Ethanol
Demain, A. L., Newcomb, M., & Wu, J. (2005) · Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews · doi:10.1128/mmbr.69.1.124-154.2005 · Cited by 906
“These findings (138, 253) constituted one of the early reports of adaptive mutation (48, 112, 350).”
BackgroundDavey, H. M., & Kell, D. B. (1996) · Microbiological Reviews · doi:10.1128/mr.60.4.641-696.1996 · Cited by 886
Adaptive evolution of highly mutable loci in pathogenic bacteria
Moxon, E. R., Rainey, P. B., Nowak, M. A., & Lenski, R. E. (1994) · Current Biology · doi:10.1016/s0960-9822(00)00005-1 · Cited by 755
“Neither does the existence of these specialized mutators imply any novel mechanism that would require a reverse flow of information from the phenotype to the genotype, as has been suggested for so-called 'directed' mutations [49].”
Background
Metadata
- Authors
- Cairns, J., Overbaugh, J., & Miller, S.
- Affiliations
- Harvard University (US)
- Venue
- Nature
- Published
- 1988-09
- Volume
- 335
- Issue
- 6186
- Pages
- 142-145
- ISSN
- 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-4687
- 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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