The Most Deviated Codon Position in AT-rich Bacterial Genomes: A Function Related Analysis

Abstract

We have performed systematic study on more than 120 archaeal and bacterial genomes. Based on the index proposed in the current paper, clear patterns are observed showing the relation between the base compositional deviation at three codon positions and the genomic GC content. For AT-rich genomes, the Most Deviated Codon Position (MDCP) is the 1^stcodon position, while for GC-rich genomes, MDCP appears at the 2^nd or 3^rd codon position alternatively. According to MDCP, the CDSs of a genome can be classified into two types: typical and atypical. In AT-rich genomes the typical represent the majority and account for about 3/4 of all the CDSs. Based on the functional classification of COG database, the two types of CDSs are examined. An apparent bias of distribution is observed that the CDSs with the function of ‘information processing’ are more likely to present in typical type.