There have been few mutations in histone proteins during evolution. What have scientists determined this means?
Added by Gregg S.
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Step 1: Histone proteins have undergone few mutations during evolution, indicating that they are highly conserved across different organisms. Show more…
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Histone proteins are among the most highly conserved proteins in eukaryotes. Histone H4 proteins from a pea and a cow, for example, differ in only 2 of 102 amino acids. Comparison of the gene sequences shows many more differences, but only two change the amino acid sequence. These observations indicate that mutations that change amino acids must have been selected against during evolution. Why do you suppose that aminoacid-altering mutations in histone genes are deleterious?
Frameshift mutations often result in truncated proteins. Explain this observation based on the genetic code.
Madhur L.
EVOLUTION LINK Each amino acid could potentially exist as one of two possible enantiomers, known as the $\mathrm{D}$ -form and the L-form (based on the arrangement of the groups attached to the asymmetric $\alpha$ carbon). However, in all organisms, only L-amino acids are found in proteins. What does this suggest about the evolution of proteins?
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