How Neutral Genetic Drift Affects Protein Functions
Author Information
Author(s): Jesse D. Bloom, Philip A. Romero, Zhongyi Lu, Frances H. Arnold
Primary Institution: California Institute of Technology
Hypothesis
Can neutral genetic drift lead to significant changes in promiscuous protein functions that may aid in functional evolution?
Conclusion
Neutral genetic drift can lead to substantial changes in protein functions that are not currently under selection, potentially preparing proteins for future functional evolution.
Supporting Evidence
- Enzymes changed their promiscuous activities by as much as four-fold.
- Changes in promiscuous activities increased with the number of mutations.
- Similar substrates showed coordinated changes in enzyme activity.
Takeaway
Sometimes, changes in proteins happen even when they aren't being selected for, which can help them adapt better in the future.
Methodology
The study involved examining cytochrome P450 enzymes that evolved neutrally and measuring their activities on various substrates.
Potential Biases
The experimental design may not fully account for the complexities of natural selection and fitness landscapes.
Limitations
The study does not definitively connect changes in enzyme activity to organismal fitness in natural settings.
Statistical Information
P-Value
10^-3
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website