How does gene expression level contribute to thermophilic adaptation of prokaryotes? An exploration based on predictors.
By analyzing the predicted gene expression levels of 33 prokaryotes with living temperature span from <10 degrees C to >100 degrees C, a universal positive correlation was found between the percentage of predicted highly expressed genes and the organisms' optimal growth temperature. A physical interpretation of the correlation revealed that highly expressed genes are statistically more thermostable than lowly expressed genes. These findings show the possibility of the significant contribution of gene expression level to the prokaryotic thermal adaptation and provide evidence for the translational selection pressure on the thermostability of natural proteins during evolution.
Wang
Ji
J
Department of Marine Biology, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, P. R. China.
Ma
Bin-Guang
BG
Zhang
Hong-Yu
HY
Chen
Ling-Ling
LL
Zhang
Shi-Cui
SC
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001105:Archaea / Q000254:growth & development; D019843:Archaeal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D015870:Gene Expression; D019766:Genes, Archaeal; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D013696:Temperature
D019843:Archaeal Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins