Gene Loss, Protein Sequence Divergence, Gene Dispensability, Expression Level, and Interactivity Are Correlated in Eukaryotic Evolution

• DOI: 10.1101/gr.1589103
• Publication Date: 2003-10-02T21:38:05Z
• Authors: Dmitri M. Krylov; Yuri I. Wolf; Igor B. Rogozin; Eugene V. Koonin
• Keywords: Rate of evolution; Lineage (genetic)

Lineage-specific gene loss, to a large extent, accounts for the differences in repertoires between genomes, particularly among eukaryotes. We derived parsimonious scenario of losses eukaryotic orthologous groups (KOGs) from seven complete genomes. The involves substantial loss fungi, nematodes, and insects. Based on this evolutionary estimates divergence times major phyla, we introduce numerical measure, propensity (PGL). explore connection be lost evolution (PGL value), protein sequence divergence, effect knockout fitness, number protein-protein interactions, expression level genes KOGs. Significant correlations PGL each these variables were detected. Genes that have lower accumulate fewer substitutions their sequences tend essential organism viability, highly expressed, many interaction partners. dependence dispensability interactivity is much stronger than rate. Thus, during seems direct reflection its biological importance.