Extensive variation in synonymous substitution rates in mitochondrial genes of seed plants.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It has long been known that rates of synonymous substitutions are unusually low in mitochondrial genes of flowering and other land plants. Although two dramatic exceptions to this pattern have recently been reported, it is unclear how often major increases in substitution rates occur during plant mitochondrial evolution and what the overall magnitude of substitution rate variation is across plants.

Results

A broad survey was undertaken to evaluate synonymous substitution rates in mitochondrial genes of angiosperms and gymnosperms. Although most taxa conform to the generality that plant mitochondrial sequences evolve slowly, additional cases of highly accelerated rates were found. We explore in detail one of these new cases, within the genus Silene. A roughly 100-f

SUBMITTER: Mower JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1973135 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature