Selfish DNA: the ultimate parasite.

Nature ·Vol. 284 ·No. 5757 ·1980-04-17 ·Pages 604-7

Orgel LE, Crick FH

Abstract

The DNA of higher organisms usually falls into two classes, one specific and the other comparatively nonspecific. It seems plausible that most of the latter originates by the spreading of sequences which had little or no effect on the phenotype. We examine this idea from the point of view of the natural selection of preferred replicators within the genome.

MeSH Terms

Animals Base Sequence Biological Evolution DNA/genetics DNA Replication Energy Metabolism Genes Genes, Regulator Humans Phenotype RNA, Heterogeneous Nuclear/genetics RNA, Messenger/genetics Selection, Genetic Time Factors

Chemicals

RNA, Heterogeneous Nuclear RNA, Messenger DNA

Authors & Affiliations

2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID

Orgel L E

Crick F H

Article Info

Journal

Nature

Abbr.

Nature

ISSN

0028-0836

DOI

10.1038/284604a0

Published

1980-04-17

Pages

604-7

Language

English

Region

England

NLM ID

0410462

Subset

External Links

PubMed source DOI: 10.1038/284604a0 View journal details

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