Episodic evolution of coadapted sets of amino acid sites in mitochondrial proteins

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008711
• Publication Date: 2021-01-25T18:56:44Z
• Authors: Alexey D. Neverov; Anfisa V. Popova; Gennady G. Fedonin; Evgeny A. Cheremu...; Galya V. Klink; Georgii A. Bazykin
• Keywords: Rate of evolution; Epistasis; Molecular evolution; Protein evolution; Negative selection

The rate of evolution differs between protein sites and changes with time. However, the link these two phenomena remains poorly understood. Here, we design a phylogenetic approach for distinguishing pairs amino acid that evolve concordantly, i.e., such substitutions at one site trigger subsequent other; also discordantly, so impede other. We distinguish groups undergo coordinated discordantly from other groups. In mitochondrion-encoded proteins metazoans fungi, show concordantly evolving are clustered in structures. By analysing patterns pairs, find concordant has distinct causes: epistatic interactions episodes selection independently affecting different sites. course evolution, indicating limited to some lineages. positions consistent proteins, suggesting common selective forces underlying them.