Evolution favors protein mutational robustness in sufficiently large populations

Details Evolution favors protein mutational robustness in sufficiently large populations Evolution favors protein mutational robustness in sufficiently large populations

2007-04-14

arxiv.org/abs/0704.1885v1

BMC Biology 5:29 (2007)

Biology

Quantitative Biology

Populations and Evolution

Scientific paper

10.1186/1741-7007-5-29

BACKGROUND: An important question is whether evolution favors properties such as mutational robustness or evolvability that do not directly benefit any individual, but can influence the course of future evolution. Functionally similar proteins can differ substantially in their robustness to mutations and capacity to evolve new functions, but it has remained unclear whether any of these differences might be due to evolutionary selection for these properties. RESULTS: Here we use laboratory experiments to demonstrate that evolution favors protein mutational robustness if the evolving population is sufficiently large. We neutrally evolve cytochrome P450 proteins under identical selection pressures and mutation rates in populations of different sizes, and show that proteins from the larger and thus more polymorphic population tend towards higher mutational robustness. Proteins from the larger population also evolve greater stability, a biophysical property that is known to enhance both mutational robustness and evolvability. The excess mutational robustness and stability is well described by existing mathematical theories, and can be quantitatively related to the way that the proteins occupy their neutral network. CONCLUSIONS: Our work is the first experimental demonstration of the general tendency of evolution to favor mutational robustness and protein stability in highly polymorphic populations. We suggest that this phenomenon may contribute to the mutational robustness and evolvability of viruses and bacteria that exist in large populations.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Evolution favors protein mutational robustness in sufficiently large populations does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Evolution favors protein mutational robustness in sufficiently large populations, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evolution favors protein mutational robustness in sufficiently large populations will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-730423