<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The <italic>rpo</italic> genes are characterized by rapidly-evolving sequences. They encode subunits of plastid-encoded (PEP) polymerase (<italic>rpo</italic>A, <italic>rpo</italic>B, <italic>rpo</italic>C1 and <italic>rpo</italic>C2). This polymerase is one of the most important enzymes in the chloroplasts. The primary aim of the research was to study the rate of molecular evolution in the <italic>rpo</italic> genes and to estimate these genes as phylogenetic markers based on the example of the genus <italic>Erica</italic> (Ericaceae). The tested <italic>rpo</italic> genes demonstrated similarities on multiple levels, for example: phylogenetic informativeness, variation level, intragenic mutation rates and the effect of intragenic mutations on the properties of encoded peptides. This study did not confirm that the analyzed <italic>rpo</italic> genes are reliable markers and may be helpful in understanding phylogenetic relationships between species that belong to the same genus. The <italic>rpo</italic>C2 gene was found to be a most useful phylogenetic marker in the <italic>Erica</italic> genus, while <italic>rpo</italic>C1 was found to be the least promising gene.</p></abstract>

The rpo genes are characterized by rapidly-evolving sequences. They encode subunits of plastid-encoded (PEP) polymerase (rpoA, rpoB, rpoC1 and rpoC2). This polymerase is one of the most important enzymes in the chloroplasts. The primary aim of the research was to study the rate of molecular evolution in the rpo genes and to estimate these genes as phylogenetic markers based on the example of the genus Erica (Ericaceae). The tested rpo genes demonstrated similarities on multiple levels, for example: phylogenetic informativeness, variation level, intragenic mutation rates and the effect of intragenic mutations on the properties of encoded peptides. This study did not confirm that the analyzed rpo genes are reliable markers and may be helpful in understanding phylogenetic relationships between species that belong to the same genus. The rpoC2 gene was found to be a most useful phylogenetic marker in the Erica genus, while rpoC1 was found to be the least promising gene.

Phylogenetic analysis of selected representatives of the genus <italic>Erica</italic> based on the genes encoding the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase I

Department of Botany and Nature Protection

University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

Biodiversity Research and Conservation

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Phylogenetic analysis of selected representatives of the genus  based on the genes encoding the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase I

The rpo genes are characterized by rapidly-evolving sequences. They encode subunits of plastid-encoded (PEP) polymerase (rpoA, rpoB, rpoC1 and rpoC2). This...

Phylogenetic analysis of selected representatives of the genus Erica based on the genes encoding the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase I

Published Online: Sep 09, 2019

Page range: 1 - 18

Received: Mar 22, 2017

Accepted: Jun 30, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/biorc-2017-0007

Keywords
Ericaceae, molecular evolution, phylogenetic informativeness, phylogenetic signal,

© 2017 Angelika Maria Gomolińska et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Phylogenetic analysis of selected representatives of the genus Erica based on the genes encoding the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase I

Published Online: Sep 09, 2019

Page range: 1 - 18

Received: Mar 22, 2017

Accepted: Jun 30, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/biorc-2017-0007

KeywordsEricaceae, molecular evolution, phylogenetic informativeness, phylogenetic signal,

© 2017 Angelika Maria Gomolińska et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
Ericaceae, molecular evolution, phylogenetic informativeness, phylogenetic signal,