Kreitman M
Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Bioessays. 1996 Aug;18(8):678-83; discussion 683. doi: 10.1002/bies.950180812.
The neutral theory of molecular evolution has been instrumental in organizing our thinking about the nature of evolutionary forces shaping variation at the DNA level. More importantly, it has provided empiricists with a strong set of testable predictions and hence, a useful null hypothesis against which to test for the presence of selection. Evidence indicates that the neutral theory cannot explain key features of protein evolution nor patterns of biased codon usage in certain species. Whereas we now have a reasonable model of selection acting on synonymous changes in Drosophila, protein evolution remains poorly understood. Despite limitations in the applicability of the neutral theory, it is likely to remain an integral part of the quest to understand molecular evolution.
分子进化的中性理论有助于我们思考在DNA水平上塑造变异的进化力量的本质。更重要的是，它为经验主义者提供了一系列强有力的可检验预测，因此，提供了一个有用的零假设，用以检验选择的存在。有证据表明，中性理论无法解释蛋白质进化的关键特征，也无法解释某些物种中密码子使用偏好的模式。虽然我们现在有了一个关于果蝇同义突变选择作用的合理模型，但蛋白质进化仍知之甚少。尽管中性理论的适用性存在局限性，但它很可能仍然是理解分子进化过程中不可或缺的一部分。
