An important consideration therefore is not the genomic changes that cause an increased frequency of plastome reorganization, but what genome changes allow such major plastome changes to persist without being eliminated as deleterious.
The genome changes caused by these mutagens include SNP, small indel, large indel, TE transposition, and epigenetic changes.
A significant portion of the genome changes replication timing as a result of reprogramming, indicative of overall genome reorganization.
Conceivably, this may act as a trigger for genome changes akin to (epi genetic alterations associated with the tissue culture in plants (McClintock, 1984).
One reason: Unlike other RNA viruses, MERS has proofreading enzymes, meaning its genome changes very little over time.
Understanding genome changes that give rise to neo-antigens is important to selection of cancer cell subpopulations (immuno-editing) as well as to the development of immunotherapies.
And further: "…compared to parental single event varieties … genome changes in stacked GM Maize may influence the overall gene expression … [There are] possible synergistic and antagonistic interactions following transgene stacking into the GM maize genome by conventional breeding" (p. 360).
More generally, epistasis means that a mutation in one part of the genome changes the way an allele (genetic variants coexist in a population) at another locus is affecting phenotypic variation.
Firstly, the use of homologous recombination between the virus genome and plasmids in mammalian cells is a reliable way to engineer HSV such that minimal genome changes are made.
The tremendous potential of this system led several groups to independently adapt it for use in Caenorhabditis elegans, where it was successfully used to generate mutations and to create tailored genome changes through homologous recombination.
Their success is a first step toward a new way to edit genomes, which may not only aid our understanding of how life works, but also may prove useful when genome changes are needed to cure disease.
