Gene duplication and an accelerated evolutionary rate in 11S globulin genes are associated with higher protein synthesis in dicots as compared to monocots

Li, C., Li, M., Dunwell, J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2147-665X and Zhang, Y.-M. (2012) Gene duplication and an accelerated evolutionary rate in 11S globulin genes are associated with higher protein synthesis in dicots as compared to monocots. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 12 (15). ISSN 1471-2148 doi: 10.1186/1471-2148-12-15

Abstract/Summary

Background: Seed storage proteins are a major source of dietary protein, and the content of such proteins determines both the quantity and quality of crop yield. Significantly, examination of the protein content in the seeds of crop plants shows a distinct difference between monocots and dicots. Thus, it is expected that there are different evolutionary patterns in the genes underlying protein synthesis in the seeds of these two groups of plants. Results: Gene duplication, evolutionary rate and positive selection of a major gene family of seed storage proteins (the 11S globulin genes), were compared in dicots and monocots. The results, obtained from five species in each group, show more gene duplications, a higher evolutionary rate and positive selections of this gene family in dicots, which are rich in 11S globulins, but not in the monocots. Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence to support the suggestion that gene duplication and an accelerated evolutionary rate may be associated with higher protein synthesis in dicots as compared to monocots.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-pure-test.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/26292
Identification Number/DOI	10.1186/1471-2148-12-15
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Central Services Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development > Department of Crop Science
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