Genome-wide characterization of the relationship between essential and TATA-containing genes

Essential genes are involved in most survival-related housekeeping functions. TATA-containing genes encode proteins involved in various stress-response functions. However, because essential and TATA-containing genes have been researched independently, their relationship remains unclear. The present study classified Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes into four groups: non-essential non-TATA, non-essential TATA, essential non-TATA, and essential TATA genes. The results showed that essential TATA genes have the most significant codon bias, the highest level of expression, and unique characteristics, including a large number of transcription factor binding sites, a higher degree in protein interaction networks, and significantly different amino acid usage patterns compared with the other gene groups. Notably, essential TATA genes were uniquely involved in functions such as unfolded protein binding, glycolysis, and alcohol and steroid-related processes. (C) 2013 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.