2025/01/01 by Antony T. Vincent · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms #Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies #Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1139/gen-2024-0134
openalex publication_date 2025/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Bacteria in the genus Staphylococcus include human and animal pathogens. Although the genomic diversity of these bacteria is increasingly well characterized, the rate of protein evolution in staphylococci remains poorly understood. In this study, the genomic sequences of one representative from each of the 63 Staphylococcus species were downloaded from the RefSeq database. Homologous protein sequences were identified, and their evolutionary rates were inferred using a phylogenetic approach. The results demonstrated that some proteins evolve significantly faster than others, with several being involved in DNA-mediated transformation. Further analyses of the genomic sequences revealed that the evolutionary rate of proteins is correlated with codon adaptation of their genes, and that certain protein regions are more prone to accumulating mutations. This study highlights the more rapid evolution of specific proteins in staphylococci, likely reflecting the host diversity of these bacteria and their high adaptive capacity.