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Evolutionary Rate Correlation between Mitochondrial-Encoded and Mitochondria-Associated Nuclear-Encoded Proteins in
Zhichao Yan1,2, Gongyin Ye1, John H Werren2
1State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Molecular Biology and Evolution
|February 21, 2019
Summary
Mitochondria rely on nuclear and mitochondrial genes. Evolutionary rate correlations reveal how these genes interact, aiding in identifying new mitochondrial proteins.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genetics
- Cell biology
Background:
- Mitochondria, crucial for energy, involve nuclear and mitochondrial genomes.
- Interactions between nuclear- and mitochondrial-encoded proteins are vital for function and evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate evolutionary rate correlations (ERCs) between mitochondrial and nuclear-encoded proteins in insects.
- To assess if ERCs can predict protein interactions and identify novel mitochondrial proteins.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of evolutionary rates of mitochondrial and nuclear-encoded proteins across insect orders.
- Phylogenetic correction and consideration of protein conservation levels.
Main Results:
- Significant ERCs were found between mitochondrial-encoded and mitochondria-associated nuclear-encoded proteins.
- ERCs were stronger for proteins in direct contact, like OXPHOS and ribosomal components.
- ERCs effectively predict known mitochondrial proteins and suggest 23 new candidates.
Conclusions:
- ERCs are a robust indicator of functional interaction between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes.
- This approach can identify novel nuclear-encoded proteins involved in mitochondrial function.
- Further research on candidate proteins, including minichromosome maintenance helicase complex components, is warranted.
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