Evolutionary regain of lost gene circuit function
Abstract
Natural or synthetic genetic modules can lose their function over long-term evolution if the function is costly. How populations can evolve to restore such broken function is poorly understood. To test the reversibility of evolutionary breakdown, we use yeast cell populations with a chromosomally integrated synthetic gene circuit. In previous evolution experiments the gene circuit lost its costly function through various mutations. By exposing such mutant populations to conditions where regaining gene circuit function would be beneficial, we find adaptation scenarios with or without repairing lost gene circuit function. These results are important for drug resistance or future synthetic biology applications where evolutionary loss and regain of function play a significant role.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1912257116
- Bibcode:
- 2019PNAS..11625162K