English

Exact phase diagram of quasispecies model with mutation rate modifier

Populations and Evolution 2009-11-13 v2 Statistical Mechanics

Abstract

We consider an infinite asexual population with a mutator allele which can elevate mutation rates. With probability ff, a transition from nonmutator to mutator state occurs but the reverse transition is forbidden. We find that at f=0f=0, the population is in the state with minimum mutation rate and at f=fcf=f_c, a phase transition occurs between a mixed phase with both nonmutators and mutators and a pure mutator phase. We calculate the critical probability fcf_c and the total mutator fraction QQ in the mixed phase exactly. Our predictions for QQ are in agreement with those seen in microbial populations in static environments.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0808.0630,
  title  = {Exact phase diagram of quasispecies model with mutation rate modifier},
  author = {Apoorva Nagar and Kavita Jain},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0808.0630},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

Revised version