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Evolution at two levels in humans and chimpanzees

Evolution of a gene. Multiple genes for LDH isozymes provide a model of the evolution of gene structure, function and regulation

Frequencies of mutations between reconstructed ancestor and descendant sequences of codons for metazoan globin chains show that natural selection guided protein evolution. Mutations which improved haemoglobin function were accepted at an accelerated rate in the first vertebrates. Rates decelerated after functional opportunities had been exploited.

Darwinian evolution in the genealogy of haemoglobin.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the transforming gene of a mouse sarcoma virus has been determined. It codes for a protein of 374 amino acids. The nucleotide sequence of the junctions between a murine leukaemia virus and cellular sequences leading to the formation of the viral transforming gene have also been elucidated. The viral transforming sequence and its cellular homologue share an uninterrupted stretch of 1,159 nucleotides, with few base substitutions. The predicted amino acid sequence of the mouse sarcoma virus transforming gene was found to share considerable homology with the proposed amino acid sequence of the avian sarcoma virus oncogene (src) product.

Nucleotide sequence and formation of the transforming gene of a mouse sarcoma virus

An ancestral myoglobin chain has been deduced by comparing the differences in the amino acid sequences of eighteen living species and assessing from the fossil evidence the probable times of divergence of their ancestors.

Molecular Evolution of Myoglobin and the Fossil Record: a Phylogenetic Synthesis

THE amino-acid sequence of myoglobin has been fully established in sperm whale1, porpoise2, harbour seal2, horse3, and kangaroo4. It is known partially for the myoglobin of dolphin5, Macacus rhesus6, humpback whale7, Aplysia8 and man9.

A.E. Romero Herrera

Papers

Primary structure of human myoglobin.

The myoglobin of primates. I. Hylobates agilis (gibbon).

The myoglobin of primates. II. Pan Troglodytes (chimpanzee).

The myoglobin of primates III. Cercopithecidae (old world monkeys): Papio anubis (olive baboon) and Macaca Fascicularis (= IRUS, crab-eating monkey)

The myoglobin of primates. V. Prosimians: Galago crassicaudatus (thick-tailed galago) and Lepilemur mustelinus (sportive lemur).