Opposing Pressures of Speed and Efficiency Guide the Evolution of Molecular Machines

Abstract Many biomolecular machines need to be both fast and efficient. How has evolution optimized these machines along the tradeoff between speed and efficiency? We explore this question using optimizable dynamical models along coordinates that are plausible evolutionary degrees of freedom. Data o...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular biology and evolution 2019-12, Vol.36 (12), p.2813-2822
Main Authors: Wagoner, Jason A, Dill, Ken A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Discoveries
Evolution, Molecular
Models, Biological
Proton-Translocating ATPases - metabolism
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract Many biomolecular machines need to be both fast and efficient. How has evolution optimized these machines along the tradeoff between speed and efficiency? We explore this question using optimizable dynamical models along coordinates that are plausible evolutionary degrees of freedom. Data on 11 motors and ion pumps are consistent with the hypothesis that evolution seeks an optimal balance of speed and efficiency, where any further small increase in one of these quantities would come at great expense to the other. For FoF1-ATPases in different species, we also find apparent optimization of the number of subunits in the c-ring, which determines the number of protons pumped per ATP synthesized. Interestingly, these ATPases appear to more optimized for efficiency than for speed, which can be rationalized through their key role as energy transducers in biology. The present modeling shows how the dynamical performance properties of biomolecular motors and pumps may have evolved to suit their corresponding biological actions.
ISSN:0737-4038
1537-1719
DOI:10.1093/molbev/msz190