Widespread positive selection in the photosynthetic Rubisco enzyme
2007

Positive Selection in the Rubisco Enzyme

Sample size: 3228 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Kapralov Maxim V, Filatov Dmitry A

Primary Institution: School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham

Hypothesis

How common is positive selection in Rubisco among phototrophs and where does it occur in the Rubisco structure?

Conclusion

Rubisco evolves under positive selection in most lineages of land plants, indicating ongoing adaptation.

Supporting Evidence

  • Positive selection was found in rbcL of most analyzed land plants.
  • The study analyzed 3228 rbcL sequences from various phototrophs.
  • Widespread positive selection in rbcL suggests ongoing adaptation in land plants.

Takeaway

Scientists studied a protein called Rubisco that helps plants make food. They found that this protein is changing in most land plants to work better.

Methodology

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of rbcL sequences from over 3000 species to detect positive selection.

Limitations

The coverage outside flowering plants was less extensive.

Participant Demographics

The study included rbcL sequences from over 3000 species representing various lineages of green plants and other phototrophs.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2148-7-73

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