Abstract
Duplication of an entire set of chromosomes is a dramatic mutation disruptive to core cellular functions. Genome duplication and the genomic instability that generally follows can cause problems with fertility and viability, and in mammals is associated with cancer and spontaneous abortion. Yet, established polyploids occur naturally in both plants and animals. How do these organisms overcome these early problems and ultimately stabilize? The genetic basis of the adaptive response to polyploidy has remained almost completely unknown. We took advantage of modern genomic approaches to gain insight into this using a stable polyploid plant, <italic>Arabidopsis arenosa</italic>. We found evidence of selection in genes that control core genome maintenance processes. These overlap with genes or functions shown in yeast to be necessary for survival of polyploid cells and in humans implicated in cancer. Our results identify genes controlling core genome maintenance functions that may have undergone compensatory adaptation after genome doubling.
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