Exonic transcription factor binding directs codon choice and affects protein evolution

Science. 2013 Dec 13;342(6164):1367-72. doi: 10.1126/science.1243490.

Abstract

Genomes contain both a genetic code specifying amino acids and a regulatory code specifying transcription factor (TF) recognition sequences. We used genomic deoxyribonuclease I footprinting to map nucleotide resolution TF occupancy across the human exome in 81 diverse cell types. We found that ~15% of human codons are dual-use codons ("duons") that simultaneously specify both amino acids and TF recognition sites. Duons are highly conserved and have shaped protein evolution, and TF-imposed constraint appears to be a major driver of codon usage bias. Conversely, the regulatory code has been selectively depleted of TFs that recognize stop codons. More than 17% of single-nucleotide variants within duons directly alter TF binding. Pervasive dual encoding of amino acid and regulatory information appears to be a fundamental feature of genome evolution.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Codon / genetics*
  • DNA Footprinting
  • Deoxyribonuclease I / chemistry
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Exome*
  • Exons*
  • Genome, Human*
  • Humans
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Codon
  • Transcription Factors
  • Deoxyribonuclease I