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Alternative Reading Frames are an Underappreciated Source of Protein Sequence Novelty
1Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK. zachary.ardern@sanger.ac.uk.
Journal of Molecular Evolution
|June 16, 2023
Summary
Alternative reading frames in DNA allow for the creation of new protein sequences, driving the evolution of novel genes across all life forms and viruses. These frames offer unique properties that may aid in gene origin and evolution.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Protein-coding DNA sequences can be read in multiple ways, not just the standard frame.
- Alternative reading frames (ARFs) involve shifting nucleotide triplets or using the opposite DNA strand.
- ARFs are increasingly recognized as significant in the evolution of new genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the role of alternative reading frames in protein evolution.
- To explore the implications of ARFs for gene origin and discovery.
- To examine the influence of the genetic code on ARF properties.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies across cellular life and viruses.
- Analysis of sequence data to identify ARFs.
- Examination of the genetic code's contribution to ARF characteristics.
Main Results:
- Alternative reading frames are found across all domains of life and in viruses.
- ARFs expand the potential for evolutionary innovation by increasing the number of available sequences.
- Unusual properties of ARF sequences may facilitate gene origin.
- The standard genetic code structure influences the features of some ARF sequences.
Conclusions:
- Alternative reading frames are a crucial mechanism for generating protein diversity and novel genes.
- Understanding ARFs has broad implications for genome annotation, structural biology, and evolutionary genomics.
- The genetic code itself plays a role in the evolutionary potential of ARFs.
Keywords:
Alternative frame sequencesDe novo genesEvolutionary noveltyFrameshiftsGene birthOverlapping genesMore Related Videos
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