Nature Communications (May 2021)

Molecular evolution and the decline of purifying selection with age

  • Changde Cheng,
  • Mark Kirkpatrick

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22981-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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A fundamental principle of evolutionary theory is that the force of natural selection is weaker on traits expressed late in life relative to traits expressed early. Here, the authors find strong and consistent patterns of molecular evolution reflecting this principle in four species of animals, including humans.