Evidence of positive selection in mitochondrial complexes I and V of the African elephant.
As species evolve, they become adapted to their local environments. Detecting the genetic signature of selection and connecting that to the phenotype of the organism, however, is challenging. Here we report using an integrative approach that combines DNA sequencing with structural biology analyses to assess the effect of selection on residues in the mitochondrial DNA of the two species of African elephants. We detected evidence of positive selection acting on residues in complexes I and V, and we used homology protein structure modeling to assess the effect of the biochemical properties of the selected residues on the enzyme structure. Given the role these enzymes play in oxidative phosphorylation, we propose that the selected residues may contribute to the metabolic adaptation of forest and savanna elephants to their unique habitats.
Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America.
Tabitha M
TM
Finch
Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, United States of America.
Nan
N
Zhao
Informatics Institute and Department of Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America.
Dmitry
D
Korkin
Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America.
Katy H
KH
Frederick
Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America.
Lori S
LS
Eggert
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D042967:Electron Transport Complex I / Q000235:genetics*; D004606:Elephants / Q000502:physiology*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012641:Selection, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*
D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D042967:Electron Transport Complex I