"Junk" DNA as a genetic decoy
Populations and Evolution
2007-05-23 v1 Genomics
Abstract
We propose that the evolutionary purpose of junk DNA is to protect the gene. Mutation agents, such as retro-viruses, hit ``decoy'' DNA most of the time. Although the argument is far from general, we propose that the percentage of junk DNA should correlate with the number of retroviruses attacking a given species. It should also anti-correlate with the ideal mutation rates (higher in insects than in mammals).
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.q-bio/0310036,
title = {"Junk" DNA as a genetic decoy},
author = {Joao Magueijo},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:q-bio/0310036},
year = {2007}
}