Domains are distinct units within proteins that typically can fold independently into recognizable three-dimensional structures to facilitate their functions. The structural and functional independence of protein domains is reflected by their apparent modularity in the context of multi-domain proteins. In this work, we examined the coupling of evolution of domain sequences co-occurring within multi-domain proteins to see if it proceeds independently, or in a coordinated manner. We used continuous information theory measures to assess the extent of correlated mutations among domains in multi-domain proteins from organisms across the tree of life. In all multi-domain architectures we examined, domains co-occurring within protein sequences had to some degree undergone concerted evolution. This finding challenges the notion of complete modularity and independence of protein domains, providing new perspective on the evolution of protein sequence and function.

Department of Bioinformatics Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences 166 10 Prague 6 Czech Republic

Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry Faculty of Science Charles University 128 43 Prague 2 Czech Republic

Department of Software Engineering Faculty of Mathematics and Physics Charles University 118 00 Prague 1 Czech Republic

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