The Uneven Rate of the Molecular Evolution of Gene Sequences of DNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase I of the Genus Lamium L.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Katarzyna Krawczyk¹ 

关键词: PEP;    rpo;    Lamium;    molecular evolution;    phylogenetic signal;    positive-destabilizing selection;    adaptative mutations;    phylogenetic informativeness;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms140611376

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

RNA polymerase type I (plastid-encoded polymerase, PEP) is one of the key chloroplast enzymes. However, the rpo genes that encode its subunits (rpoA, rpoB, rpoC1 and rpoC2) are relatively rapidly evolving sequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of the molecular evolution of rpo genes and to evaluate them as phylogenetic markers on the example of the genus Lamium L. (Lamiaceae). The analyzed genes were shown to differ in the level of variation, rate of intragenic mutations, phylogenetic informativeness, and in the impact of these mutations on the properties of encoded peptides. Destabilizing effects of the positive pressure were observed in all genes examined coding for PEP enzyme. We have demonstrated the relationship between mutations fixed by positive selection and the separation of phylogenetic lines within the genus Lamium. The study showed also that the rpo genes were reliable phylogenetic markers, useful in the reconstruction of interconnections of species belonging to the same genus. Of the four tested genes, the most promising phylogenetic marker was rpoA gene, while the least useful gene appeared to be rpoC1.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland