Molecular Evolution Activities
 

This is a comprehensive bibliography (under construction) of primary and secondary sources on the neutral theory of molecular evolution. It currently covers the period 1973-2001.

Author :

Turner, S. L.;Young, J. P.

Year :

2000

Title :

The glutamine synthetases of rhizobia: phylogenetics and evolutionary implications

Journal :

Molecular Biology & Evolution

Volume :

17

Issue :

2

Pages :

309-19

Short Title :

The glutamine synthetases of rhizobia: phylogenetics and evolutionary implications

Custom 3 :

20142344

Abstract :

Glutamine synthetase exists in at least two related forms, GSI and GSII, the sequences of which have been used in evolutionary molecular clock studies. GSI has so far been found exclusively in bacteria, and GSII has been found predominantly in eukaryotes. To date, only a minority of bacteria, including rhizobia, have been shown to express both forms of GS. The sequences of equivalent internal fragments of the GSI and GSII genes for the type strains of 16 species of rhizobia have been determined and analyzed. The GSI and GSII data sets do not produce congruent phylogenies with either neighbor-joining or maximum-likelihood analyses. The GSI phylogeny is broadly congruent with the 16S rDNA phylogeny for the same bacteria; the GSII phylogeny is not. There are three striking rearrangements in the GSII phylograms, all of which might be explained by horizontal gene transfer to Bradyrhizobium (probably from Mesorhizobium), to Rhizobium galegae (from Rhizobium), and to Mesorhizobium huakuii (perhaps from Rhizobium). There is also evidence suggesting intrageneric DNA transfer within Mesorhizobium. Meta-analysis of both GS genes from the different genera of rhizobia and other reference organisms suggests that the divergence times of the different rhizobium genera predate the existence of legumes, their host plants.
 -- contributed by John Beatty, March 29, 2002