The adaptive evolution of the mammalian mitochondrial genome.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The mitochondria produce up to 95% of a eukaryotic cell's energy through oxidative phosphorylation. The proteins involved in this vital process are under high functional constraints. However, metabolic requirements vary across species, potentially modifying selective pressures. We evaluate the adaptive evolution of 12 protein-coding mitochondrial genes in 41 placental mammalian species by assessing amino acid sequence variation and exploring the functional implications of observed variation in secondary and tertiary protein structures.

Results

Wide variation in the properties of amino acids were observed at functionally important regions of cytochrome b in species with more-specialized metabolic requirements (such as adaptation to low energy diet or large body siz

SUBMITTER: da Fonseca RR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2375446 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature