The Codon Statistics Database: A Database of Codon Usage Bias

We present the Codon Statistics Database, an online database that contains codon usage statistics for all the species with reference or representative genomes in RefSeq (over 15,000). The user can search for any species and access two sets of tables. One set lists, for each codon, the frequency, the Relative Synonymous Codon Usage, and whether the codon is preferred. Another set of tables lists, for each gene, its GC content, Effective Number of Codons, Codon Adaptation Index, and frequency of optimal codons. Equivalent tables can be accessed for (1) all nuclear genes, (2) nuclear genes encoding ribosomal proteins, (3) mitochondrial genes, and (4) chloroplast genes (if available in the relevant assembly). The user can also search for any taxonomic group (e.g., “primates”) and obtain a table comparing all the species in the group. The database is free to access without registration at http://codonstatsdb.unr.edu.     

葡萄基因组密码子使用偏好模式研究

根据完整基因组序列,运用多元统计分析和对应分析的方法,探讨了葡萄全基因组序列密码子的使用模式和影响密码子使用的各种可能因素。结果显示:葡萄密码子偏好性主要受到碱基差异(r=0.925)和自然选择(r=0.193)共同作用的影响,突变压力占了主导因素,自然选择的作用较小。同时基因长度和蛋白质疏水性也对密码子的偏好性有所影响。确定了葡萄的20个最优密码子。     

Codon Usage Bias and tRNA Abundance in Drosophila

Codon usage bias of 1,117 Drosophila melanogaster genes, as well as fewer D. pseudoobscura and D. virilis genes, was examined from the perspective of relative abundance of isoaccepting tRNAs and their changes during development. We found that each amino acid contributes about equally and highly significantly to overall codon usage bias, with the exception of Asp which had very low contribution to overall bias. Asp was also the only amino acid that did not show a clear preference for one of its synonymous codons. Synonymous codon usage in Drosophila was consistent with ``optimal' codons deduced from the isoaccepting tRNA availability. Interestingly, amino acids whose major isoaccepting tRNAs change during development did not show as strong bias as those with developmentally unchanged tRNA pools. Asp is the only amino acid for which the major isoaccepting tRNAs change between larval and adult stages. We conclude that synonymous codon usage in Drosophila is well explained by tRNA availability and is probably influenced by developmental changes in relative abundance. Received: 5 December 1996 / Accepted: 14 June 1997     

Inferring Adaptive Codon Preference to Understand Sources of Selection Shaping Codon Usage Bias

Alternative synonymous codons are often used at unequal frequencies. Classically, studies of such codon usage bias (CUB) attempted to separate the impact of neutral from selective forces by assuming that deviations from a predicted neutral equilibrium capture selection. However, GC-biased gene conversion (gBGC) can also cause deviation from a neutral null. Alternatively, selection has been inferred from CUB in highly expressed genes, but the accuracy of this approach has not been extensively tested, and gBGC can interfere with such extrapolations (e.g., if expression and gene conversion rates covary). It is therefore critical to examine deviations from a mutational null in a species with no gBGC. To achieve this goal, we implement such an analysis in the highly AT rich genome of Dictyostelium discoideum, where we find no evidence of gBGC. We infer neutral CUB under mutational equilibrium to quantify “adaptive codon preference,” a nontautologous genome wide quantitative measure of the relative selection strength driving CUB. We observe signatures of purifying selection consistent with selection favoring adaptive codon preference. Preferred codons are not GC rich, underscoring the independence from gBGC. Expression-associated “preference” largely matches adaptive codon preference but does not wholly capture the influence of selection shaping patterns across all genes, suggesting selective constraints associated specifically with high expression. We observe patterns consistent with effects on mRNA translation and stability shaping adaptive codon preference. Thus, our approach to quantifying adaptive codon preference provides a framework for inferring the sources of selection that shape CUB across different contexts within the genome.     

An Evaluation of Measures of Synonymous Codon Usage Bias

Synonymous codons are not generally used at equal frequencies, and this trend is observed for most genes and organisms. Several methods have been proposed and used to estimate the degree of the nonrandom use of the different synonymous codons. The estimates obtained by these methods, however, show different levels of both precision and dispersion when coding regions of a finite number of codons are under analysis. Here, we present a study, based on computer simulation, of how the different methods proposed to evaluate the nonrandom use of synonymous codons are affected by the length of the coding region analyzed. The results show that some of these methods are heavily influenced by the number of codons and that the comparison of codon usage bias between coding regions of different lengths shows a methodological bias under different conditions of nonrandom use of synonymous codons. The study of the dispersion of the estimates obtained by the different methods gives, on the other hand, an indication of the methods to be applied to compare values of codon usage bias among coding regions of equivalent length. Received: 10 September 1997 / Accepted: 23 March 1998     

基因及其表达调控中遗传密码选择的偏爱性

遗传密码在基因及其表达调控中具有明显的选择性.在低等生物及细胞器基因组中,同义密码优先选择A、T;在高等生物的核基因组中,同义密码首先考虑C、G;编码基因的邻近序列对基因转录调控影响很大.环境因素与遗传密码的选择有关.     

Comparative Genomics of Trypanosomatid Pathogens using Codon Usage Bias

It is well known that an amino acid can be encoded by more than one codon, called synonymous codons. The preferential use of one particular codon for coding an amino acid is referred to as codon usage bias (CUB). A quantitative analytical method, CUB and a related tool, Codon Adaptative Index have been applied to comparatively study whole genomes of a few pathogenic Trypanosomatid species. This quantitative attempt is of direct help in the comparison of qualitative features like mutational and translational selection. Pathogens of the Leishmania and Trypanosoma genus cause debilitating disease and suffering in human beings and animals. Of these, whole genome sequences are available for only five species. The complete coding sequences (CDS), highly expressed, essential and low expressed genes have all been studied for their CUB signature. The codon usage bias of essential genes and highly expressed genes show distribution similar to codon usage bias of all CDSs in Trypanosomatids. Translational selection is the dominant force selecting the preferred codon, and selection due to mutation is negligible. In contrast to an earlier study done on these pathogens, it is found in this work that CUB and CAI may be used to distinguish the Trypanosomatid genomes at the sub-genus level. Further, CUB may effectively be used as a signature of the species differentiation by using Principal Component Analysis (PCA).

Abbreviations

CUB - Codon Usage Bias, CAI - Codon Adaptative Index, CDS - Coding sequences, t-RNA - Transfer RNA, PCA - Principal Component Analysis.     

The Selective Advantage of Synonymous Codon Usage Bias in Salmonella

The genetic code in mRNA is redundant, with 61 sense codons translated into 20 different amino acids. Individual amino acids are encoded by up to six different codons but within codon families some are used more frequently than others. This phenomenon is referred to as synonymous codon usage bias. The genomes of free-living unicellular organisms such as bacteria have an extreme codon usage bias and the degree of bias differs between genes within the same genome. The strong positive correlation between codon usage bias and gene expression levels in many microorganisms is attributed to selection for translational efficiency. However, this putative selective advantage has never been measured in bacteria and theoretical estimates vary widely. By systematically exchanging optimal codons for synonymous codons in the tuf genes we quantified the selective advantage of biased codon usage in highly expressed genes to be in the range 0.2–4.2 x 10⁻⁴ per codon per generation. These data quantify for the first time the potential for selection on synonymous codon choice to drive genome-wide sequence evolution in bacteria, and in particular to optimize the sequences of highly expressed genes. This quantification may have predictive applications in the design of synthetic genes and for heterologous gene expression in biotechnology.     

Comparative Analysis of Codon Usage Bias Patterns in Microsporidian Genomes

The sub-3 Mbp genomes from microsporidian species of the Encephalitozoon genus are the smallest known among eukaryotes and paragons of genomic reduction and compaction in parasites. However, their diminutive stature is not characteristic of all Microsporidia, whose genome sizes vary by an order of magnitude. This large variability suggests that different evolutionary forces are applied on the group as a whole. In this study, we have compared the codon usage bias (CUB) between eight taxonomically distinct microsporidian genomes: Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Spraguea lophii, Trachipleistophora hominis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Nematocida parisii, Nosema bombycis and Nosema ceranae. While the CUB was found to be weak in all eight Microsporidia, nearly all (98%) of the optimal codons in S. lophii, T. hominis, E. bieneusi, N. parisii, N. bombycis and N. ceranae are fond of A/U in third position whereas most (64.6%) optimal codons in the Encephalitozoon species E. intestinalis and E. cuniculi are biased towards G/C. Although nucleotide composition biases are likely the main factor driving the CUB in Microsporidia according to correlation analyses, directed mutational pressure also likely affects the CUB as suggested by ENc-plots, correspondence and neutrality analyses. Overall, the Encephalitozoon genomes were found to be markedly different from the other microsporidians and, despite being the first sequenced representatives of this lineage, are uncharacteristic of the group as a whole. The disparities observed cannot be attributed solely to differences in host specificity and we hypothesize that other forces are at play in the lineage leading to Encephalitozoon species.     

Codon Usage Bias and Base Composition of Nuclear Genes in Drosophila

The nuclear genes of Drosophila evolve at various rates. This variation seems to correlate with codon-usage bias. In order to elucidate the determining factors of the various evolutionary rates and codon-usage bias in the Drosophila nuclear genome, we compared patterns of codon-usage bias with base compositions of exons and introns. Our results clearly show the existence of selective constraints at the translational level for synonymous (silent) sites and, on the other hand, the neutrality or near neutrality of long stretches of nucleotide sequence within noncoding regions. These features were found for comparisons among nuclear genes in a particular species (Drosophila melanogaster, Drosophila pseudoobscura and Drosophila virilis) as well as in a particular gene (alcohol dehydrogenase) among different species in the genus Drosophila. The patterns of evolution of synonymous sites in Drosophila are more similar to those in the prokaryotes than they are to those in mammals. If a difference in the level of expression of each gene is a main reason for the difference in the degree of selective constraint, the evolution of synonymous sites of Drosophila genes would be sensitive to the level of expression among genes and would change as the level of expression becomes altered in different species. Our analysis verifies these predictions and also identifies additional selective constraints at the translational level in Drosophila.     

红松查尔酮合成酶基因CHS密码子偏好性分析

查尔酮合成酶(Chalcone synthase,CHS)广泛存在于植物体内,是花色素形成过程中一种重要的酶,可以进一步催化生成黄酮类化合物。本研究采用Codon W和EMBOSS在线软件对红松查尔酮合成酶基因CHS的密码子使用偏好性进行分析,并与北美乔松等其他24种植物的CHS基因以及模式植物基因组进行比较,对认识红松CHS基因的密码子使用偏好性,为选择适宜的表达系统奠定了一定的基础。研究结果表明:红松CHS基因编码区的有效密码子数(ENC)和GC含量分别为48.92和0.548,C+G含量高于A+T含量,密码子偏好以A/T结尾;多数植物CHS基因的G+C含量高于A+T含量,且密码子更偏好C/G结尾;聚类分析表明,红松与马尾松和赤松的密码子使用偏好性的相似性较高;密码子使用频率研究发现,红松CHS遗传转化与异源表达较优的受体可能是大肠杆菌和拟南芥。     

伪狂犬病病毒基因编码区碱基组成与密码子使用偏差

由于伪狂犬病病毒(PRV)中G C含量高达74％,至今尚没有一个毒株完成全基因组测序。对已知的68个PRV基因编码区序列碱基组成及密码子使用现象进行了统计分析,结果发现PRV基因中存在非常强的密码子使用偏差。所有68个PRV基因编码区密码子第三位总的G C含量为96．24％,其中UL48基因高达99．52％。PRV基因偏向于使用富含GC的密码子,特别是以C或G结尾的密码子。此外,还发现PRV中G C含量变化较大的UL48、UL40、UL14和IE180等基因附近正好与已知的PRV基因组复制起始区相对应。根据基因功能将PRV基因分为6类进行分析发现,基因功能相同或相近的基因其密码子使用模式相似,其中调节基因的同义密码子相对使用度(RSCU)与其他基因有显著差异,在调节基因中以C结尾的密码子的RSCU值远大于其他同义密码子。最后,对PRV基因氨基酸组成差异进行多元分析,发现不同功能的PRV基因在对应分析图上分布不同,表明PRV基因密码子使用模式可能与基因功能相关。     

Comparative Analysis of Codon Usage Bias and Codon Context Patterns between Dipteran and Hymenopteran Sequenced Genomes

Background

Codon bias is a phenomenon of non-uniform usage of codons whereas codon context generally refers to sequential pair of codons in a gene. Although genome sequencing of multiple species of dipteran and hymenopteran insects have been completed only a few of these species have been analyzed for codon usage bias.

Methods and Principal Findings

Here, we use bioinformatics approaches to analyze codon usage bias and codon context patterns in a genome-wide manner among 15 dipteran and 7 hymenopteran insect species. Results show that GAA is the most frequent codon in the dipteran species whereas GAG is the most frequent codon in the hymenopteran species. Data reveals that codons ending with C or G are frequently used in the dipteran genomes whereas codons ending with A or T are frequently used in the hymenopteran genomes. Synonymous codon usage orders (SCUO) vary within genomes in a pattern that seems to be distinct for each species. Based on comparison of 30 one-to-one orthologous genes among 17 species, the fruit fly Drosophila willistoni shows the least codon usage bias whereas the honey bee (Apis mellifera) shows the highest bias. Analysis of codon context patterns of these insects shows that specific codons are frequently used as the 3′- and 5′-context of start and stop codons, respectively.

Conclusions

Codon bias pattern is distinct between dipteran and hymenopteran insects. While codon bias is favored by high GC content of dipteran genomes, high AT content of genes favors biased usage of synonymous codons in the hymenopteran insects. Also, codon context patterns vary among these species largely according to their phylogeny.     

子囊菌延长因子1 alpha基因密码子偏好性分析(英文)

文中对子囊菌代表类群的延伸因子1 alpha基因密码子的使用模式进行了研究。结果表明:该基因的密码子使用偏好性不仅与核酸碱基组成密切相关,也受到其他选择性压力的影响。统计分析揭示了子囊菌各类群该基因的密码子组成和编码特点,在同义密码子的选择模式上,酵母纲(Saccharomycetes)的成员具有较独特的偏好性。基于密码子用法分歧度的聚类分析方法较合理地反映了大部分类群的分类学地位,但在各个纲的内部,密码子偏好性的变化程度存在差异。     

Evolution of Base Composition and Codon Usage Bias in the Genus Flavivirus

The extent to which base composition and codon usage vary among RNA viruses, and the possible causes of this bias, is undetermined in most cases. A maximum-likelihood statistical method was used to test whether base composition and codon usage bias covary with arthropod association in the genus Flavivirus, a major source of disease in humans and animals. Flaviviruses are transmitted by mosquitoes, by ticks, or directly between vertebrate hosts. Those viruses associated with ticks were found to have a significantly lower G+C content than non-vector-borne flaviviruses and this difference was present throughout the genome at all amino acids and codon positions. In contrast, mosquito-borne viruses had an intermediate G+C content which was not significantly different from those of the other two groups. In addition, biases in dinucleotide and codon usage that were independent of base composition were detected in all flaviviruses, but these did not covary with arthropod association. However, the overall effect of these biases was slight, suggesting only weak selection at synonymous sites. A preliminary analysis of base composition, codon usage, and vector specificity in other RNA virus families also revealed a possible association between base composition and vector specificity, although with biases different from those seen in the Flavivirus genus. Received: 29 August 2000 / Accepted: 19 December 2000     

Analysis of Synonymous Codon Usage Bias in 09H1N1

A novel subtype of influenza A virus 09H1N1 has rapidly spread across the world. Evolutionary analyses of this virus have revealed that 09H1N1 is a triple reassortant of segments from swine, avian and human influenza viruses. In this study, we investigated factors shaping the codon usage bias of 09H1N1 and carried out cluster analysis of 60 strains of influenza A virus from different subtypes based on their codon usage bias. We discovered that more preferentially used codons of 09H1N1 are A-ended or U-ended...     

密码子使用偏性量化方法研究综述

在基因组学水平上研究密码子使用偏性模式、成因并分析进化过程中的选择压力在基因组学研究中有重要意义。文章概述了目前提出的密码子使用偏性的量化方法及实现原理。目前研究发现：有些量化密码子偏性的方法受高表达基因参考数据集未完全注释的限制,不同密码子位置对变异和选择的影响不同,以及不同密码子位置处GC含量和嘌呤含量的贡献不同。由此展望密码子偏性量化方法发展方向为：需要设计不需要相关参考基因集合先验知识的密码子使用偏性量化方法;考虑不同位置处背景核苷酸组成的密码子使用偏性的量化方法;同时考虑基因表达水平的密码子使用偏性量化方法。最后,归纳了目前可用的密码子使用偏性的量化工具和数据库。     

Interspecific and Intragenic Differences in Codon Usage Bias Among Vertebrate Myosin Heavy-Chain Genes

Synonymous codon usage bias is a broadly observed phenomenon in bacteria, plants, and invertebrates and may result from selection. However, the role of selective pressures in shaping codon bias is still controversial in vertebrates, particularly for mammals. The myosin heavy-chain (MyHC) gene family comprises multiple isoforms of the major force-producing contractile protein in cardiac and skeletal muscles. Slow and fast genes are tandemly arrayed on separate chromosomes, and have distinct patterns of functionality and expression in muscle. We analyze both full-length MyHC genes (~5400?bp) and a larger collection of partial sequences at the 3' end (~500?bp). The MyHC isoforms are an interesting system in which to study codon usage bias because of their length, expression, and critical importance to organismal mobility. Codon bias and GC content differs among MyHC genes with regards to functional type, isoform, and position within the gene. Codon bias even varies by isoform within a species. We find evidence in favor of both chromosomal influences on nucleotide composition and selection against nonsense errors (SANE) acting on codon usage in MyHC genes. Intragenic variation in codon bias and elongation rate is significant, with a strong trend for increasing codon bias and elongation rate towards the 3' end of the gene, although the trend is dependent upon the degeneracy class of the codons. Therefore, patterns of codon usage in MyHC genes are consistent with models supporting SANE as a major force shaping codon usage.