Protein based molecular markers provide reliable means to understand prokaryotic phylogeny and support Darwinian mode of evolution.

ABSTRACT: The analyses of genome sequences have led to the proposal that lateral gene transfers (LGTs) among prokaryotes are so widespread that they disguise the interrelationships among these organisms. This has led to questioning of whether the Darwinian model of evolution is applicable to prokaryotic organisms. In this review, we discuss the usefulness of taxon-specific molecular markers such as conserved signature indels (CSIs) and conserved signature proteins (CSPs) for understanding the evolutionary relationships among prokaryotes and to assess the influence of LGTs on prokaryotic evolution. The analyses of genomic sequences have identified large numbers of CSIs and CSPs that are unique properties of different groups of prokaryotes ranging from phylum to genus levels. The species distribution

SUBMITTER: Bhandari V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3417386 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature