Site-by-site estimation of the rate of substitution and the correlation of rates in mitochondrial DNA

Rasmus Nielsen*

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

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24 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

A maximum likelihood method for independently estimating the relative rate of substitution at different nucleotide sites is presented. With this method, the evolution of DNA sequences can be analyzed without assuming a specific distribution of rates among sites. To investigate the pattern of correlation of rates among sites, the method was applied to a data set consisting of the protein-coding regions of the mitochondrial genome from 10 vertebrate species. Rates appear to be strongly correlated at distances up to 40 codons apart. Furthermore, there appears to be some higher order correlation of sites approximately 75 codons apart. The method of site-by-site estimation of the rate of substitution may also be applied to examine other aspects of rate variation along a DNA sequence and to assess the difference in the support of a tree along the sequence.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftSystematic Biology
Vol/bind46
Udgave nummer2
Sider (fra-til)346-353
Antal sider8
ISSN1063-5157
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 1 jan. 1997
Udgivet eksterntJa

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