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Rate of evolution and gene dispensability

Author

Listed:
  • Csaba Pál

    (University of Bath
    Eötvös University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/C)

  • Balázs Papp

    (University of Bath
    Eötvös University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/C)

  • Laurence D. Hurst

    (University of Bath)

Abstract

Whether more dispensable genes evolve faster than less dispensable ones1 is a contentious issue2,3,4. Comparing yeast and worm genes, Hirsh and Fraser3 observe a gradual tendency for less dispensable genes (those that reduce the growth rate of yeast when knocked out) to have lower rates of protein evolution. Here we repeat their analysis using larger data sets and find no evidence that dispensability explains the variation in rates of protein evolution. Although Hirsh and Fraser provide a model to show why their result is to be expected, our analysis suggests that their model, which assumes among other things that no substitution is advantageous, cannot be generally applied.

Suggested Citation

  • Csaba Pál & Balázs Papp & Laurence D. Hurst, 2003. "Rate of evolution and gene dispensability," Nature, Nature, vol. 421(6922), pages 496-497, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:421:y:2003:i:6922:d:10.1038_421496b
    DOI: 10.1038/421496b
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    Cited by:

    1. Oren Ish-Am & David M Kristensen & Eytan Ruppin, 2015. "Evolutionary Conservation of Bacterial Essential Metabolic Genes across All Bacterial Culture Media," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(4), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Chao Qin & Yongqi Sun & Yadong Dong, 2016. "A New Method for Identifying Essential Proteins Based on Network Topology Properties and Protein Complexes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(8), pages 1-30, August.
    3. Martin Ackermann & Lin Chao, 2006. "DNA Sequences Shaped by Selection for Stability," PLOS Genetics, Public Library of Science, vol. 2(2), pages 1-7, February.
    4. Sarosh N Fatakia & Stefano Costanzi & Carson C Chow, 2011. "Molecular Evolution of the Transmembrane Domains of G Protein-Coupled Receptors," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(11), pages 1-12, November.

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