Evolution of high mutation rates in experimental populations of E. coli
Abstract
Most mutations are likely to be deleterious, and so the spontaneous mutation rate is generally held at a very low value. Nonetheless, evolutionary theory predicts that high mutation rates can evolve under certain circumstances. Empirical observations have previously been limited to short-term studies of the fates of mutator strains deliberately introduced into laboratory populations of Escherichia coli, and to the effects of intense selective events on mutator frequencies in E. coli. Here we report the rise of spontaneously originated mutators in populations of E. coli undergoing long-term adaptation to a new environment. Our results corroborate computer simulations of mutator evolution in adapting clonal populations, and may help to explain observations that associate high mutation rates with emerging pathogens and with certain cancers.
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In contrast to comparative genomics, ALE allows phenotypic changes to be clearly associated with a certain growth environment that leads to the selection of traits.
“In contrast to comparative genomics [29], ALE allows phenotypic changes to be clearly associated with a certain growth environment that leads to the selection of traits.”
From Adaptive laboratory evolution—Principles and applications for biotechnology (2013) · cites this paper as [29]
Many studies have documented the evolution of higher mutation rates as microbial populations adapt to changed environments.
“Many studies have documented the evolution of higher mutation rates as microbial populations adapt to changed environments (6, 8–12, 35).”
From Mutation rate dynamics in a bacterial population reflect tension between adaptation and genetic load (2013) · cites this paper as [6]
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- Authors
- Sniegowski, P. D., Gerrish, P. J., & Lenski, R. E.
- Affiliations
- University of Pennsylvania (US)
- Michigan State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Sniegowski, Paul D.
- Venue
- Nature
- Published
- 1997-06-12
- Volume
- 387
- Issue
- 6634
- Pages
- 703-705
- ISSN
- 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-4687
- OpenAlex
- W1566245339
- Semantic Scholar
- 2e0468916bee3bd1141c3fe345831961fd7a4509
- Cited by
- 879
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 44 · 2020: 41 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 44 · 2016: 46 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 32 · 2013: 39 · 2012: 33
- FWCI
- 16.81
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Nature (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Cultural Studies › Language and cultural evolution
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy and History of Science
- Keywords
- spontaneous mutation rate, Escherichia coli, mutator strains, long-term adaptation, clonal populations, deleterious mutations, mutagenesis, emerging pathogens, cancer
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Physiological, Anti-Infective Agents, Drug Resistance, Microbial, Escherichia coli, Genetic Complementation Test, Mutation, Nalidixic Acid, Phenotype, Transformation, Bacterial, Directed Molecular Evolution, Evolution, Molecular
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