STOCHASTIC TRAITS OF MOLECULAR EVOLUTION - ACCEPTANCE OF POINT MUTATIONS IN NATIVE ACTIN GENES

A stochastic matrix of nucleotide mutation probabilities is derived by counting differences and identities in alignments of native actin genes, with the aim of obtaining a more reliable data base for regular modes of molecular evolution. The evolution of DNA sequences is thereby considered as a Markov process consisting of events (point mutations) characterized by a stochastic matrix for codon-codon interchanges. The genetic distance is set to 1 PAM (percentage of accepted point mutations). The results can be reproduced by Monte Carlo simulations which are subjected to selective constraints. The latter are observed as nonrandom codon usage and ratios of silent to recognizable point mutations. Specific patterns within the matrix of mutation probabilities attest to preferences of natural selection in the evolution of a specific protein. © 1990 Academic Press Limited.