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1996 | Buch

Molecular Evolution

verfasst von: Vadim A. Ratner, Andrey A. Zharkikh, Nikolay Kolchanov, Sergey N. Rodin, Viktor V. Solovyov, Andrey S. Antonov

Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Buchreihe : Biomathematics

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Über dieses Buch

In 1970, Manfred Eigen initiated the study of the origin of self-reproducing systems of macromolecules and their evolution. Large-scale nucleotide sequencing (with computer methods) was introduced from 1977. The authors of this book, the first edition of which appeared (in Russian) in 1985, have been engaged in the research of the evolution of molecular genetic regulatory systems ever since those pioneering years. The book considers many fundamental problems of molecular biology, evolution, molecular genetic organization, the structure and function of macromolecules, always with the underlying motive of developing a unified theory. It describes many original, theoretical results as well as computational methods.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter
1. Introduction: Approaches and Problems
Abstract
The most significant property of individuals in evolution is their capacity for reproduction (inheritance) and hereditary variability. According to modern genetics, this property is largely due to the presence in cells of the so-called non-regular (encoding) polymers: nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) and proteins [18, 33]. In general, the non-regular polymers of a cell together account for other essential properties, such as metabolism, growth, immunity, etc., which form a ‘core’ of the biological organization in individual species.
Vadim A. Ratner, Andrey A. Zharkikh, Nikolay Kolchanov, Sergey N. Rodin, Viktor V. Solovyov, Andrey S. Antonov
2. Dynamic Properties of Self-Reproducing Molecular Systems: Theoretical Analysis
Abstract
In 1971 Eigen [12] proposed a kinetic approach to describing the dynamics of assemblies of informational macromolecules. Although these models do not apply to any concrete evolutionary process, they may be used to identify possible assemblies with alternative organizations which have properties resembling those of real MGRS and to assess these in evolutionary terms. We shall use Eigen’s approach to study the dynamic properties of self-reproducing systems.
Vadim A. Ratner, Andrey A. Zharkikh, Nikolay Kolchanov, Sergey N. Rodin, Viktor V. Solovyov, Andrey S. Antonov
3. The Origin and Evolution of the Genetic Coding-System
Abstract
Proceeding from the well-studied translation system of E. coli and using other evidence, we may describe the basic properties of this system [33, 45, 46, 335].
Vadim A. Ratner, Andrey A. Zharkikh, Nikolay Kolchanov, Sergey N. Rodin, Viktor V. Solovyov, Andrey S. Antonov
4. Methods for Studying the Evolution of Macromolecules
Abstract
Here we shall summarize some of the definitions and concepts characterizing genetic sequences [18, 47] and outline the basic problems of their study in the context of the theory of molecular evolution.
Vadim A. Ratner, Andrey A. Zharkikh, Nikolay Kolchanov, Sergey N. Rodin, Viktor V. Solovyov, Andrey S. Antonov
5. Theoretical Analysis of the Evolution of Genes and Proteins
Abstract
In this chapter we shall consider the results of phylogenetic analysis of certain macromolecular families and the problems of devising a unified theory of synonymous molecular macroevolutionary drift.
Vadim A. Ratner, Andrey A. Zharkikh, Nikolay Kolchanov, Sergey N. Rodin, Viktor V. Solovyov, Andrey S. Antonov
6. The Structural Organization and Evolution of Macromolecules
Abstract
Globular proteins are linear non-regular biopolymers formed by 20 types of amino acid [155]. Their three-dimensional structure arises as a result of the self-organization process [156): the polypeptide chain is spontaneously folded into a native structure, without any special agents, as early on as the synthesis stage or immediately after its termination. This means that all the information about the structure of globular proteins is encoded in their amino-acid sequences [156]. This has been confirmed by a series of brilliant experiments on the formation of a functionally active three-dimensional structure of ribonuclease after the chemical synthesis of its amino-acid sequence [157]; and also, by the restoration of the functional activity of certain proteins in the course of renaturation [158].
Vadim A. Ratner, Andrey A. Zharkikh, Nikolay Kolchanov, Sergey N. Rodin, Viktor V. Solovyov, Andrey S. Antonov
7. The Principles of the Origin and Evolution of Genomes
Abstract
Cell genomes are the essential components of molecular genetic regulatory systems (MGRS) and physical carriers of the hereditary memory of cells. The dimensions of genomes are related to their potential information capacity, i.e. the number and total length of genes that they can contain. On the other hand, the actual information capacity of genomes does not always correspond to the potential capacity. In the simplest case, by the information density of a genome we mean the proportion of its nucleotides involved in the coding of molecular properties (those within genes, as well as punctuation marks and other functionally essential parts). Let us consider some regularities of the correspondence between the dimensions of genomes and their information density.
Vadim A. Ratner, Andrey A. Zharkikh, Nikolay Kolchanov, Sergey N. Rodin, Viktor V. Solovyov, Andrey S. Antonov
8. Genosystematics
Abstract
Genosystematics may be defined as the science of the variety of molecular genetic regulatory systems (MGRS) and semantids of organisms and their molecular genotypes. This science integrates the relevant knowledge needed to construct a comprehensive system of organisms. The term genosystematics [339] seldom occurs in the literature. However, it appears to be more convenient than, for example, ‘DNA systematics’ or ‘molecular systematics’. The former is too narrow in its application and, as its name shows, leaves two large groups of semantids (the RNAs and the proteins, and MGRS) outside the frame of reference. Conversely, the latter term is too wide and includes the evidence on episemantids, i.e. the subject of chemosystematics. In addition, neither term adequately reflects the difference between the object of genosystematics (genotype, genome of organisms) and that of phenosystematics.
Vadim A. Ratner, Andrey A. Zharkikh, Nikolay Kolchanov, Sergey N. Rodin, Viktor V. Solovyov, Andrey S. Antonov
Addendum
Vadim A. Ratner, Andrey A. Zharkikh, Nikolay Kolchanov, Sergey N. Rodin, Viktor V. Solovyov, Andrey S. Antonov
Conclusion
Abstract
To conclude our discussion of the problems of the theory of molecular evolution and genosystematics let us summarize the main points and results.
Vadim A. Ratner, Andrey A. Zharkikh, Nikolay Kolchanov, Sergey N. Rodin, Viktor V. Solovyov, Andrey S. Antonov
Backmatter
Metadaten
Titel
Molecular Evolution
verfasst von
Vadim A. Ratner
Andrey A. Zharkikh
Nikolay Kolchanov
Sergey N. Rodin
Viktor V. Solovyov
Andrey S. Antonov
Copyright-Jahr
1996
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Electronic ISBN
978-3-662-12530-4
Print ISBN
978-3-642-08174-3
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-12530-4