An Evolutionary Hypothesis on the Persistence of Non-Coding DNA in Complex Genomes: The Passive Selfish DNA Model

2025 · doi:10.32942/x28k9c
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Abstract

Non-coding DNA constitutes the vast majority of eukaryotic genomes, yet its evolutionary role remains largely unresolved. This manuscript proposes a theoretical model in which non-coding DNA persists not due to functional utility, but as "passive selfish DNA"—elements that replicate by coexisting with coding sequences in vital genomes. Drawing analogies with endogenous retroviruses and vertically transmitted transposons, this perspective reframes the issue of genomic persistence in terms of replicative neutrality and genomic compatibility rather than function. The model suggests new directions for investigating genome architecture and evolutionary neutrality.
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This is a Preprint and has not been peer reviewed. This is version 1 of this Preprint. You must log in to post a comment. There are no comments or no comments have been made public for this article. This is a Preprint and has not been peer reviewed. This is version 1 of this Preprint. Add a Comment You must log in to post a comment. Comments There are no comments or no comments have been made public for this article. Non-coding DNA constitutes the vast majority of eukaryotic genomes, yet its evolutionary role remains largely unresolved. This manuscript proposes a theoretical model in which non-coding DNA persists not due to functional utility, but as "passive selfish DNA"—elements that replicate by coexisting with coding sequences in vital genomes. Drawing analogies with endogenous retroviruses and vertically transmitted transposons, this perspective reframes the issue of genomic persistence in terms of replicative neutrality and genomic compatibility rather than function. The model suggests new directions for investigating genome architecture and evolutionary neutrality. https://doi.org/10.32942/X28K9C Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Life Sciences non-coding DNA, genome evolution, selfish DNA, endogenous retroviruses, passive replication, theoretical biology, genetic architecture, genomic neutrality, mobile genetic elements, eukaryotic genomes Published: 2025-08-02 18:52 Last Updated: 2025-08-02 18:52 CC BY Attribution 4.0 International Conflict of interest statement: None Data and Code Availability Statement: Not applicable Language: English

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License: CC-BY-4.0