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Related Concept Videos

From DNA to Protein03:06

From DNA to Protein

The flow of genetic information in cells from DNA to mRNA to protein is described by the central dogma, which states that genes specify the sequence of mRNAs, which in turn specify the sequence of amino acids making up all proteins. The decoding of one molecule to another is performed by specific proteins and RNAs. Because the information stored in DNA is so central to cellular function, it makes intuitive sense that the cell would make mRNA copies of this information for protein synthesis...
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The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
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Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
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Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
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Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift01:09

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).Mechanisms of Genetic VariationThe original sources of genetic variation are mutations,...

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Identifying Amino Acid Overproducers Using Rare-Codon-Rich Markers
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Explaining complex codon usage patterns with selection for translational efficiency, mutation bias, and genetic

Premal Shah1, Michael A Gilchrist

  • 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA. pshah1@utk.edu

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|June 8, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Codon usage bias in yeast is primarily driven by selection for efficient ribosome use, genetic drift, and mutation. This study explains genomic codon usage patterns, offering insights into molecular evolution.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • The genetic code's redundancy allows multiple codons for most amino acids.
  • Organisms often exhibit codon usage bias (CUB), favoring specific codons.
  • The evolutionary drivers of CUB are debated, with unclear relative importance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the forces shaping codon usage bias at the genomic scale in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
  • To determine the relative contributions of selection, drift, and mutation to CUB.
  • To develop a framework for integrating molecular and population genetics models.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a nested model combining protein translation and population genetics.
  • Analyzed gene-level variation of codon usage bias in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
  • Correlated observed codon counts with model predictions.

Main Results:

  • Observed gene-level CUB variation in yeast is explained by selection for efficient ribosomal usage, genetic drift, and biased mutation.
  • Achieved a high correlation (0.96) between model predictions and observed codon counts.
  • Demonstrated that selection for efficient ribosome usage is a key factor in genomic CUB.

Conclusions:

  • Selection for efficient ribosome usage is a central force shaping codon usage bias at the genomic scale.
  • The developed model accurately predicts CUB and can estimate codon-specific mutation rates and elongation times.
  • The framework provides a method for integrating molecular and population genetics to study fundamental biological processes like protein translation.