Scientists have discovered that there are multiple copies of the same genes in a salamander.
Transposons can be used to copy and paste themselves.
There are mechanisms that can be used to prevent or limit the harmful effects of repeating parts of their genes.
The new study found a possible evolutionary advantage of the jumping genes in the Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans.
Not only did they find different versions of these jumping genes, but they also found another group of genes that play a role in how severe the disease is.
More than 90 extinctions have been caused by salamander and related fungi.
Severe wounds are caused by salamanders and newts when they are bitten by bal.
Newts and salamanders have some tolerance, but it has spread to Europe and is causing salamander populations to decline.
Bsal now has a bigger genome with more genes and also more of these 'jumping genes' transposons, thanks to new technology.
The ability of genes to copy and paste themselves contributed to the expansion.
Transposons are similar to having many identical pages.
Other parts of the book are also copied.
Some skin- destroying genes have been amplified by this copying and paste caused by repetitive jumping genes.
The fungus can destroy the skin of salamanders more quickly if there are more skin-destruction genes.
Dr. Farrer said that the term "junk" is used to describe repetitive DNA.
He said that most organisms have a few genes that jump.
They make up less than 1% of the genome in humans, and we have mechanisms in place to prevent this from rising.
Nearly 20% of the genome is made up of repeating genes.
The advantages seem to outweigh the problems caused by transposon jumping genes.
Further research is being done by the team.
Dr. Farrer said that this kind of repetition is more common in nature.
It's not clear why this isn't more common if it appears to be the case.
The study sheds new light on the evolution of a major amphibian disease and identifies repetitive genome content as a driving force behind its pathobiology.
Scientists from Imperial College London were involved in the research.
The paper was published in the journal of the National Academy of Sciences.
The two-speed genome evolution drives the growth of fungi in animals. 10.1073/pnas.
Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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