Network analysis of metabolic enzyme evolution in Escherichia coli

Background: The two most common models for the evolution of metabolism are the patchwork evolution model, where enzymes are thought to diverge from broad to narrow substrate specificity, and the retrograde evolution model, according to which enzymes evolve in response to substrate depletion. Analysis of the distribution of homologous enzyme pairs in the metabolic network can shed light on the respective importance of the two models. We here investigate the evolution of the metabolism in E. coli viewed as a single network using EcoCyc. Results: Sequence comparison between all enzyme pairs was performed and the minimal path length (MPL) between all enzyme pairs was determined. We find a strong over-representation of

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2004
• Where: BMCBI
• Authors: Sara Light, Per Kraulis
• Keywords: BMCBI 2004, Enzyme, Evolution Model, Patchwork Evolution Model