Evidence for selection on synonymous mutations affecting stability of mRNA secondary structure in mammals.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In mammals, contrary to what is usually assumed, recent evidence suggests that synonymous mutations may not be selectively neutral. This position has proven contentious, not least because of the absence of a viable mechanism. Here we test whether synonymous mutations might be under selection owing to their effects on the thermodynamic stability of mRNA, mediated by changes in secondary structure.

Results

We provide numerous lines of evidence that are all consistent with the above hypothesis. Most notably, by simulating evolution and reallocating the substitutions observed in the mouse lineage, we show that the location of synonymous mutations is non-random with respect to stability. Importantly, the preference for cytosine at 4-fold degenerate sites, diagnostic of

SUBMITTER: Chamary JV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1242210 | biostudies-literature | 2005

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature