Positive Darwinian Selection in the Piston That Powers Proton Pumps in Complex I of the Mitochondria of Pacific Salmon
Date
2011-09
Authors
Garvin, Michael R.
Bielawski, Joseph P.
Gharrett, Anthony J.
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Abstract
The mechanism of oxidative phosphorylation is well understood, but evolution of the proteins
involved is not. We combined phylogenetic, genomic, and structural biology analyses to examine the
evolution of twelve mitochondrial encoded proteins of closely related, yet phenotypically diverse,
Pacific salmon. Two separate analyses identified the same seven positively selected sites in ND5. A
strong signal was also detected at three sites of ND2. An energetic coupling analysis revealed
several structures in the ND5 protein that may have co-evolved with the selected sites. These data
implicate Complex I, specifically the piston arm of ND5 where it connects the proton pumps, as
important in the evolution of Pacific salmon. Lastly, the lineage to Chinook experienced rapid
evolution at the piston arm.
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Citation
Garvin, Michael R., Joseph P. Bielawski, and Anthony J. Gharrett. 2011. "Positive Darwinian Selection in the Piston That Powers Proton Pumps in Complex I of the
Mitochondria of Pacific Salmon." Plos One 6(9): 24127-e24127.