The role of non-allelic gene conversion in the evolution of Transposable Elements

转座因子被认为是进化的关键驱动因素，并且很可能有助于调节网络的重新布线。特别是，我们之前认为，te之间的非等位基因转换可能不仅有助于te的进化，还有助于通过te重新布线调节网络。近年来，各种不同物种的全基因组序列数据的急剧增加，为了解TEs的进化提供了机会，包括非等位基因转换的发生及其对基因组进化的贡献，这在以前是不可能的。在这项研究中，我们通过理论、计算机模拟（使用先前开发的框架）和基因组数据分析（使用各种哺乳动物和植物物种的基因组序列）来探索TEs的进化动力学。特别是，我们已经能够展示不同TE家族的差异活性对植物物种基因组大小进化、基因组结构和着丝粒进化的贡献。

Transposable Elements are thought to be key drivers of evolution and have most likely contributed to the rewiring of regulatory networks. In particular, we previously argued that non-allelic gene conversion between TEs likely contributes not only to the evolution of TEs, but also to the rewiring of regulatory networks via TEs. The drastic increase in whole-genome sequence data of various different species in the recent years provides the opportunity to understand the evolution of TEs, including the occurrence of non-allelic gene conversion and their contribution to genome evolution, in great detail that was not possible before. In this study, we have been exploring the evolutionary dynamics of TEs by theory, computer simulation using a previously developed framework, and genomic data analysis using genome sequences of various mammal and plant species. In particular, we have been able to show the contribution of the differential activity of different TE families to genome size evolution, genome structure, and centromere evolution in plant species.