From Genome Variation to Molecular Mechanisms: What we Have Learned From Yeast Mitochondrial Genomes?

Analysis of genome variation provides insights into mechanisms in genome evolution. This is increasingly appreciated with the rapid growth of genomic data. Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) are well known to vary substantially in many genomic aspects, such as genome size, sequence context, nucleotide base composition and substitution rate. Such substantial variation makes mitogenomes an excellent model system to study the mechanisms dictating mitogenome variation. Recent sequencing efforts have not only covered a rich number of yeast species but also generated genomes from abundant strains within the same species. The rich yeast genomic data have enabled detailed investigation from genome variation into molecular mechanisms in genome evolution. This mini-review highlights some recent progresses in yeast mitogenome studies.

Automated summary

Analysis of genome variation is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of genome evolution. Mitochondrial genomes are excellent models for studying variation mechanisms due to their substantial variation in various genomic aspects. Recent research on yeast mitogenomes has provided valuable insights into molecular mechanisms in genome evolution.