Cited by 3Evolution and Genetic DynamicsProtein Structure and DynamicsGenomics and Rare Diseases

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 4 of the 4 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Protein structure and selection pressure in plants: using mutation to understand the functional importance of protein structure

Open access
Long, Evan, Monroe, Grey·2026·BMC Genomics

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

Recent advances in protein structure prediction have opened new avenues for understanding the potential impact of genetic mutations and how they might affect protein structure. In this study, we analyzed the distribution and structural characteristics of mutations in four plant species: Arabidopsis, rice, sugar beet, and cassava. We integrated population genotype datasets with protein structure predictions to map mutation positions to their corresponding gene protein products and structural features. Our analysis reveals that high-effect mutations are more likely to occur in unstructured, disordered regions of proteins rather than in well-folded, conserved regions. This finding suggests that natural selection exerts greater pressure to conserve sequence integrity in folded regions, which are crucial for protein function. Conversely, disordered regions may tolerate higher variability exhibiting a higher frequency of impactful mutations. By providing a comprehensive overview of mutation distribution in relation to protein structure, this study enhances our understanding of the evolutionary pressures shaping plant proteomes. The insights gained from this research could inform future studies on protein function, evolutionary biology, and plant improvement strategies.

Overview

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1186/s12864-026-12674-2

Cites

4 of 4 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Verification

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

Citations

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 32

  1. Sedeek KE, Mahas A, Mahfouz M, Sedeek KE, Mahas A, Mahfouz M, Sedeek KE, Mahas A, Mahfouz M. Plant genome engineering for targeted improvement of crop traits. Front Plant Sci. 2019;10:114. · DOI
  2. Lin Z, Akin H, Rao R, Hie B, Zhu Z, Lu W, Lin Z, Akin H, Rao R, Hie B, Zhu Z, Lu W, Lin Z, Akin H, Rao R, Hie B, Zhu Z, Lu W, et al. Language models of protein sequences at the scale of evolution enable accurate structure prediction. BioRxiv. 2022;2022:500902.
  3. Keskin Karakoyun H, Yüksel ŞK, Amanoglu I, Naserikhojasteh L, Yeşilyurt A, Yakıcıer C, Karakoyun K, Yüksel H, Amanoglu ŞK, Naserikhojasteh I, Yeşilyurt L, Yakıcıer A, Keskin Karakoyun C, Yüksel H, Amanoglu ŞK, Naserikhojasteh I, Yeşilyurt L, Yakıcıer A, et al. Evaluation of AlphaFold structure-based protein stability prediction on missense variations in cancer. Front Genet. 2023;14:1052383. · DOI
  4. Monroe JG, McKay JK, Weigel D, Flood PJ, Monroe JG, McKay JK, Weigel D, Flood PJ, Monroe JG, McKay JK, Weigel D, Flood PJ. The population genomics of adaptive loss of function. Heredity. 2021;126:383–95. · DOI
  5. Olson MV, Olson MV, Olson MV. When less is more: gene loss as an engine of evolutionary change. Am J Hum Genet. 1999;64:18–23. · DOI · Paper page
  6. Su T, Liu F, Gu P, Jin H, Chang Y, Wang Q, Su T, Liu F, Gu P, Jin H, Chang Y, Wang Q, Su T, Liu F, Gu P, Jin H, Chang Y, Wang Q, et al. A CRISPR-Cas9 assisted non-homologous end-joining strategy for one-step engineering of bacterial genome. Sci Rep. 2016;6:37895. · DOI
  7. Wang W, Mauleon R, Hu Z, Chebotarov D, Tai S, Wu Z, Wang W, Mauleon R, Hu Z, Chebotarov D, Tai S, Wu Z, Wang W, Mauleon R, Hu Z, Chebotarov D, Tai S, Wu Z, et al. Genomic variation in 3,010 diverse accessions of Asian cultivated rice. Nature. 2018;557:43–9. · DOI
  8. Alonso-Blanco C, Andrade J, Becker C, Bemm F, Bergelson J, Borgwardt KM, Alonso-Blanco C, Andrade J, Becker C, Bemm F, Bergelson J, Borgwardt KM, Alonso-Blanco C, Andrade J, Becker C, Bemm F, Bergelson J, Borgwardt KM, et al. 1,135 genomes reveal the global pattern of polymorphism in Arabidopsis thaliana. Cell. 2016;166:481–91. · DOI
  9. Zhao K, Long E, Sanchez F, Monier E, Chavarriaga P, Monroe G, Zhao K, Long E, Sanchez F, Monier E, Chavarriaga P, Monroe G, Zhao K, Long E, Sanchez F, Monier E, Chavarriaga P, Monroe G. Unlocking genetic diversity in Colombian cassava landraces for accelerated breeding. New Phytol. 202 6. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70918 · DOI
  10. Felkel S, Dohm JC, Himmelbauer H, Felkel S, Dohm JC, Himmelbauer H, Felkel S, Dohm JC, Himmelbauer H. Genomic variation in the genus Beta based on 656 sequenced beet genomes. Sci Rep. 2023;13:8654. · DOI
  11. Touw WG, Baakman C, Black J, Te Beek TA, Krieger E, Joosten RP, Touw WG, Baakman C, Black J, Te Beek TA, Krieger E, Joosten RP, Touw WG, Baakman C, Black J, Te Beek TA, Krieger E, Joosten RP, et al. A series of PDB-related databanks for everyday needs. Nucleic Acids Res. 2015;43:D364–8. · DOI
  12. Tien MZ, Meyer AG, Sydykova DK, Spielman SJ, Wilke CO, Tien MZ, Meyer AG, Sydykova DK, Spielman SJ, Wilke CO, Tien MZ, Meyer AG, Sydykova DK, Spielman SJ, Wilke CO. Maximum allowed solvent accessibilites of residues in proteins. PLoS ONE. 2013;8:e80635. · DOI
  13. Wang Q, Tang J, Han B, Huang X, Wang Q, Tang J, Han B, Huang X, Wang Q, Tang J, Han B, Huang X. Advances in genome-wide association studies of complex traits in rice. Theor Appl Genet. 2020;133:1415–25. · DOI
  14. Huang X, Zhao Y, Wei X, Li C, Wang A, Zhao Q, Huang X, Zhao Y, Wei X, Li C, Wang A, Zhao Q, Huang X, Zhao Y, Wei X, Li C, Wang A, Zhao Q, et al. Genome-wide association study of flowering time and grain yield traits in a worldwide collection of rice germplasm. Nat Genet. 2012;44:32–9. · DOI
  15. Cingolani P. Variant annotation and functional prediction: SnpEff. Variant calling: methods and protocols. Springer; 2012. pp. 289–314. · DOI
  16. Mészáros B, Erdős G, Dosztányi Z, Mészáros B, Erdős G, Dosztányi Z, Mészáros B, Erdős G, Dosztányi Z. IUPred2A: context-dependent prediction of protein disorder as a function of redox state and protein binding. Nucleic Acids Res. 2018;46:W329–37. · DOI
  17. Henikoff S, Henikoff JG, Henikoff S, Henikoff JG, Henikoff S, Henikoff JG. Amino acid substitution matrices from protein blocks. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 1992;89:10915–9. · DOI · Paper page
  18. Benitez-Cantos MS, Yordanova MM, O’Connor PB, Zhdanov AV, Kovalchuk SI, Papkovsky DB, Benitez-Cantos MS, Yordanova MM, O’Connor PB, Zhdanov AV, Kovalchuk SI, Papkovsky DB, Benitez-Cantos MS, Yordanova MM, O’Connor PB, Zhdanov AV, Kovalchuk SI, Papkovsky DB, et al. Translation initiation downstream from annotated start codons in human mRNAs coevolves with the Kozak context. Genome Res. 2020;30:974–84. · DOI
  19. van der Lee R, Buljan M, Lang B, Weatheritt RJ, Daughdrill GW, Dunker AK, van der Lee R, Buljan M, Lang B, Weatheritt RJ, Daughdrill GW, Dunker AK. van der Lee R, Buljan M, Lang B, Weatheritt RJ, Daughdrill GW, Dunker AK, Classification of Intrinsically Disordered Regions and Proteins. Chem Rev. 2014;114:6589 – 631. Go to ISI://WOS:000338980600003 · DOI
  20. Lobley A, Swindells MB, Orengo CA, Jones DT, Lobley A, Swindells MB, Orengo CA, Jones DT, Lobley A, Swindells MB, Orengo CA, Jones DT. Inferring function using patterns of native disorder in proteins. PLoS Comput Biol. 2007;3:e162. · DOI
  21. Xue B, Li L, Meroueh SO, Uversky VN, Dunker AK, Xue B, Li L, Meroueh SO, Uversky VN, Dunker AK, Xue B, Li L, Meroueh SO, Uversky VN, Dunker AK. Analysis of structured and intrinsically disordered regions of transmembrane proteins. Mol Biosyst. 2009;5:1688–702. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19585006. · DOI
  22. Magidovich E, Fleishman SJ, Yifrach O, Magidovich E, Fleishman SJ, Yifrach O, Magidovich E, Fleishman SJ, Yifrach O. Intrinsically disordered C-terminal segments of voltage-activated potassium channels: a possible fishing rod-like mechanism for channel binding to scaffold proteins. Bioinformatics. 2006;22:1546–50. · DOI
  23. Vuzman D, Azia A, Levy Y, Vuzman D, Azia A, Levy Y, Vuzman D, Azia A, Levy Y. Searching DNA via a Monkey Bar mechanism: the significance of disordered tails. J Mol Biol. 2010;396:674–84. · DOI
  24. De Kovel CGF, De Kovel CGF, De Kovel CGF. The power of allele frequency comparisons to detect the footprint of selection in natural and experimental situations. Genet Selection Evol. 2006;38:3–23. · DOI
  25. Long EM, Romay MC, Ramstein G, Buckler ES, Robbins KR, Long EM, Romay MC, Ramstein G, Buckler ES, Robbins KR, Long EM, Romay MC, Ramstein G, Buckler ES, Robbins KR. Utilizing evolutionary conservation to detect deleterious mutations and improve genomic prediction in cassava. Front Plant Sci. 2023;13:1041925. · DOI
  26. Ramstein GP, Buckler ES, Ramstein GP, Buckler ES, Ramstein GP, Buckler ES. Prediction of evolutionary constraint by genomic annotations improves functional prioritization of genomic variants in maize. Genome Biol. 2022;23:183. · DOI · Paper page
  27. Wu Y, Li D, Hu Y, Li H, Ramstein GP, Zhou S, Wu Y, Li D, Hu Y, Li H, Ramstein GP, Zhou S, Wu Y, Li D, Hu Y, Li H, Ramstein GP, Zhou S, et al. Phylogenomic discovery of deleterious mutations facilitates hybrid potato breeding. Cell. 2023;186:2313–28. e15. · DOI
  28. Zhai J, Gokaslan A, Schiff Y, Berthel A, Liu Z-Y, Lai W-Y, Zhai J, Gokaslan A, Schiff Y, Berthel A, Liu Z-Y, Lai W-Y, Zhai J, Gokaslan A, Schiff Y, Berthel A, Liu Z-Y, Lai W-Y, et al. Cross-species modeling of plant genomes at single-nucleotide resolution using a pretrained DNA language model. Proc Nat Acad Sci. 2025;122:e2421738122. · DOI
  29. Cano-Gamez E, Trynka G, Cano-Gamez E, Trynka G, Cano-Gamez E, Trynka G. From GWAS to function: using functional genomics to identify the mechanisms underlying complex diseases. Front Genet. 2020;11:424. Journal Abbreviation. · DOI · Paper page
  30. Alseekh S, Kostova D, Bulut M, Fernie AR, Alseekh S, Kostova D, Bulut M, Fernie AR, Alseekh S, Kostova D, Bulut M, Fernie AR. Genome-wide association studies: assessing trait characteristics in model and crop plants. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2021;78:5743–54. · DOI
  31. van Kempen M, Kim SS, Tumescheit C, Mirdita M, Gilchrist CL, Söding J, van Kempen M, Kim SS, Tumescheit C, Mirdita M, Gilchrist CL, Söding J, van Kempen M, Kim SS, Tumescheit C, Mirdita M, Gilchrist CL, Söding J et al. Foldseek: fast and accurate protein structure search. Biorxiv. 2022:2022.02:07.479398.
  32. Zhang Y, Skolnick J, Zhang Y, Skolnick J, Zhang Y, Skolnick J. TM-align: a protein structure alignment algorithm based on the TM-score. Nucleic Acids Res. 2005;33:2302–9. · DOI · Paper page

Metadata

Authors
Long, E., & Monroe, G.
Affiliations
Agricultural Research Service (US)
Corresponding author
Long, Evan
Venue
BMC Genomics
Published
2026-02-24
Volume
27
Issue
1
ISSN
1471-2164 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W7131270902
Cited by
3
References
4
Citations by year
2026: 3
FWCI
11.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • BMC Genomics (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Research Square (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
University of California, Davis
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Structure and Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genomics and Rare Diseases
Keywords
protein structure, natural selection, plant mutation, intrinsically disordered regions, protein disorder, mutation effects, protein structure prediction, Arabidopsis, rice, sugar beet, cassava, population genomics
MeSH terms
Mutation, Plant Proteins, Plants, Protein Conformation, Oryza, Selection, Genetic, Arabidopsis, Protein Folding, Evolution, Molecular, Beta vulgaris

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review