Evolution of Two Membrane Protein Sequences and Functions

TL;DR

This paper investigates the evolutionary differences in TRPC(3,6) membrane proteins between mammals and oviparous species, using a novel approach based on evolution towards criticality to understand their functional divergence.

Contribution

It introduces a new application of the evolution towards criticality concept to compare membrane protein sequences across different species.

Findings

Differences in TRPC(3,6) sequences between mammals and oviparous species.

Application of evolution towards criticality to membrane protein evolution.

Insights into functional divergence of calcium channels.

Abstract

TRPC(3,6) are two ~ 930 amino acid membrane proteins that form calcium permeant cation channels. Here we examine the differences between mammals and oviparous species. Our method is based on the concept of evolution towards criticality, a general concept we have previously applied to many proteins, especially in describing the evolution of pandemic sequences through natural selection.