Theses and Dissertations
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3123-0725
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Gout, Jean-Francois
Committee Member
Dapper, Amy
Committee Member
Gordon, Donna M.
Committee Member
Perkins, Andy
Date of Degree
12-8-2023
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Computational Biology
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
College
Office of Academic Affairs
Department
Computational Biology Program
Abstract
tRNA genes are highly transcribed and perform one of the most fundamental cellular functions. Although a universal pattern observed across all three domains of life is that highly transcribed genes tend to evolve slowly, tRNA genes have been shown previously to evolve rapidly. This rapid sequence evolution could result from relaxed selection, increased mutation rate, or a combination of both. Here, we use mutation-accumulation line sequencing data to show that tRNA genes accumulate more mutations than other gene types. Our results indicate that this elevated mutation rate is a consequence of both elevated transcription-associated mutagenesis and a lack of transcription-coupled repair in tRNA genes. We also identify the gene MSH2 as being involved in transcription-coupled repair.
Recommended Citation
Patterson, Sarah, "Investigating the impact of transcription on mutation rates" (2023). Theses and Dissertations. 6044.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/6044
Included in
Bioinformatics Commons, Computational Biology Commons, Genomics Commons, Molecular Genetics Commons