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Rapid evolutionary change in trait correlations of single proteins
Pouria Dasmeh1,2,3, Jia Zheng4,5,6, Ayşe Nisan Erdoğan7
1Center for Human Genetics, Marburg University, Marburg, 35043, Germany. dasmeh@staff.uni-marburg.de.
Nature Communications
|April 18, 2024
Summary
Trait correlations, crucial for evolvability, can rapidly evolve through mutation and selection. Protein foldability significantly influences these correlations, impacting complex traits across many proteins.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Organismal traits are genetically determined and covary, influencing evolvability.
- Evolvability, the capacity for adaptive change, depends on the evolution of trait correlations.
- Little is known about the evolutionary dynamics of trait correlations themselves.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary potential of trait correlations.
- To understand the mechanisms driving the evolution of trait correlations.
- To explore the role of protein structure and function in mediating trait correlations.
Main Methods:
- Studied evolvable systems: a fluorescent protein and VIM-2 metallo beta-lactamase.
- Assessed trait correlations (fluorescence, antibiotic resistance) under mutation and selection.
- Analyzed the impact of mutations affecting protein foldability on trait correlations.
Main Results:
- Trait correlations evolved rapidly on short evolutionary timescales.
- Protein foldability was identified as a key driver of trait correlation evolution.
- Mutations altering protein foldability significantly reshaped trait correlations.
Conclusions:
- Trait correlations are highly evolvable and can change quickly.
- Protein foldability is a fundamental mechanism influencing trait correlations.
- Understanding foldability's role is key to predicting how complex traits evolve.
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