Peptide vocabulary analysis reveals ultra-conservation and homonymity in protein sequences

Gatherer, Derek (2007) Peptide vocabulary analysis reveals ultra-conservation and homonymity in protein sequences. Bioinformatics and Biology Insights, 2007 (1). pp. 101-126.

[thumbnail of f_BBI-1-Gatherer-et-al_463]
Preview
PDF (f_BBI-1-Gatherer-et-al_463)
f_BBI_1_Gatherer_et_al_463.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (993kB)

Abstract

A new algorithm is presented for vocabulary analysis (word detection) in texts of human origin. It performs at 60%-70% overall accuracy and greater than 80% accuracy for longer words, and approximately 85% sensitivity on Alice in Wonderland, a considerable improvement on previous methods. When applied to protein sequences, it detects short sequences analogous to words in human texts, i.e. intolerant to changes in spelling (mutation), and relatively context-independent in their meaning (function). Some of these are homonyms of up to 7 amino acids, which can assume different structures in different proteins. Others are ultra-conserved stretches of up to 18 amino acids within proteins of less than 40% overall identity, reflecting extreme constraint or convergent evolution. Different species are found to have qualitatively different major peptide vocabularies, e.g. some are dominated by large gene families, while others are rich in simple repeats or dominated by internally repetitive proteins. This suggests the possibility of a peptide vocabulary signature, analogous to genome signatures in DNA. Homonyms may be useful in detecting convergent evolution and positive selection in protein evolution. Ultra-conserved words may be useful in identifying structures intolerant to substitution over long periods of evolutionary time.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Bioinformatics and Biology Insights
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1300/1303
Subjects:
?? biochemistrycomputational mathematicsmolecular biologyapplied mathematicscomputer science applications ??
ID Code:
66879
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
30 Sep 2013 15:01
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
31 Dec 2023 00:29