Periodicity in DNA coding sequences: implications in gene evolution.
In this paper we have employed Fourier analysis of DNA coding and non-coding sequences in an attempt to identify possible patterns in gene sequences. It was found that while intronic sequences show a rather random pattern, coding sequences show periodicities and in particular a periodicity of 3. We were able to reconstruct such patterns by assuming a gene having one codon occurring in about 40% of the sequence. This could indicate that the predominant presence of codons all starting from the same base could confer the observed periodicities. Indeed, it was found that proteins do obey this rule. Implications of this finding in gene evolution are discussed.
Department of Geosciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 53201.
A A
AA
Tsonis
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JB
Elsner
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Tsonis
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence / Q000235:genetics*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003062:Codon / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D005796:Genes / Q000235:genetics*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics; D010507:Periodicity; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
D003062:Codon; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA