CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Multiple Alignment Anders Gorm Pedersen Molecular Evolution Group Center for Biological Sequence Analysis

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Refresher: pairwise alignments 43.2% identity; Global alignment score: alpha V-LSPADKTNVKAAWGKVGAHAGEYGAEALERMFLSFPTTKTYFPHF-DLS-----HGSA : :.:.:. : : ::::.. : :.::: :....: :..: : ::: :. beta VHLTPEEKSAVTALWGKV--NVDEVGGEALGRLLVVYPWTQRFFESFGDLSTPDAVMGNP alpha QVKGHGKKVADALTNAVAHVDDMPNALSALSDLHAHKLRVDPVNFKLLSHCLLVTLAAHL.::.::::: :.....::.: ::.:: ::.::: ::.::.. :..:: :. beta KVKAHGKKVLGAFSDGLAHLDNLKGTFATLSELHCDKLHVDPENFRLLGNVLVCVLAHHF alpha PAEFTPAVHASLDKFLASVSTVLTSKYR :::: :.:..:.:.:...:. ::. beta GKEFTPPVQAAYQKVVAGVANALAHKYH

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Refresher: pairwise alignments Alignment score is calculated from substitution matrixAlignment score is calculated from substitution matrix Identities on diagonal have high scoresIdentities on diagonal have high scores Similar amino acids have high scoresSimilar amino acids have high scores Dissimilar amino acids have low (negative) scoresDissimilar amino acids have low (negative) scores Gaps penalized by gap- opening + gap elongationGaps penalized by gap- opening + gap elongation K L A A S V I L S D A L K L A A S D A L x (-1)=-13 A 5 R -2 7 N D C Q E G A R N D C Q E G...

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Refresher: pairwise alignments The number of possible pairwise alignments increases explosively with the length of the sequences: Two protein sequences of length 100 amino acids can be aligned in approximately different ways bottles of beer would fill up our entire galaxy

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Refresher: pairwise alignments Solution:Solution: dynamic programming Essentially:Essentially: the best path through any grid point in the alignment matrix must originate from one of three previous points Far fewer computationsFar fewer computations Best alignment guaranteed to be foundBest alignment guaranteed to be found T C G C A T C A x

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Refresher: pairwise alignments Most used substitution matrices are themselves derived empirically from simple multiple alignmentsMost used substitution matrices are themselves derived empirically from simple multiple alignments Multiple alignment A/A 2.15% A/C 0.03% A/D 0.07%... Calculate substitution frequencies Score(A/C) = log Freq(A/C),observed Freq(A/C),expected Convert to scores

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Multiple alignment

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Multiple alignments: what use are they? Starting point for studies of molecular evolutionStarting point for studies of molecular evolution

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Multiple alignments: what use are they? Characterization of protein families:Characterization of protein families: –Identification of conserved (functionally important) sequence regions –Prediction of structural features (disulfide bonds, amphipathic alpha- helices, surface loops, etc.)

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Scoring a multiple alignment: the “sum of pairs” score...A......S......T... One column from alignment AA: 4, AS: 1, AT:0 AS: 1, AT: 0 ST: 1 Score: = 7  In theory, it is possible to define an alignment score for multiple alignments (there are many alternative scoring systems)

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Multiple alignment: dynamic programming is only feasible for very small data sets In theory, optimal multiple alignment can be found by dynamic programming using a matrix with more dimensions (one dimension per sequence)In theory, optimal multiple alignment can be found by dynamic programming using a matrix with more dimensions (one dimension per sequence) BUT even with dynamic programming finding the optimal alignment very quickly becomes impossible due to the astronomical number of computationsBUT even with dynamic programming finding the optimal alignment very quickly becomes impossible due to the astronomical number of computations Full dynamic programming only possible for up to about 4-5 protein sequences of average lengthFull dynamic programming only possible for up to about 4-5 protein sequences of average length Even with heuristics, not feasible for more than 7-8 protein sequencesEven with heuristics, not feasible for more than 7-8 protein sequences Never used in practiceNever used in practice Dynamic programming matrix for 3 sequences For 3 sequences, optimal path must come from one of 7 previous points

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Multiple alignment: an approximate solution Progressive alignment (ClustalX and other programs):Progressive alignment (ClustalX and other programs): 1.Perform all pairwise alignments; keep track of sequence similarities between all pairs of sequences (construct “distance matrix”) 2. Align the most similar pair of sequences 3. Progressively add sequences to the (constantly growing) multiple alignment in order of decreasing similarity.

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Progressive alignment: details 1) Perform all pairwise alignments, note pairwise distances (construct “distance matrix”) 2) Construct pseudo-phylogenetic tree from pairwise distances S1 S2 S3 S4 6 pairwise alignments S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 3 S3 1 3 S S1 S3S4S2 S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 3 S3 1 3 S “Guide tree”

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Progressive alignment: details 3) Use tree as guide for multiple alignment: a) Align most similar pair of sequences using dynamic programming b) Align next most similar pair c) Align alignments using dynamic programming - preserve gaps S1 S3S4S2 S1 S3 S2 S4 S1 S3 S2 S4 New gap to optimize alignment of (S2,S4) with (S1,S3)

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Aligning profiles S1 S3 S2 S4 + S1 S3 S2 S4 New gap to optimize alignment of (S2,S4) with (S1,S3) Aligning alignments: each alignment treated as a single sequence (a profile) Full dynamic programming on two profiles

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Scoring profile alignments...A......S......T... + One column from alignment AS: 1, AT:0 SS: 4, ST:1 Score: = Compare each residue in one profile to all residues in second profile. Score is average of all comparisons.

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Additional ClustalX heuristics Sequence weighting:Sequence weighting: –scores from similar groups of sequences are down-weighted Variable substitution matrices:Variable substitution matrices: –during alignment ClustalX uses different substitution matrices depending on how similar the sequences/profiles are Variable gap penalties:Variable gap penalties:  gap penalties depend on substitution matrix  gap penalties depend on similarity of sequences  reduced gap penalties at existing gaps  increased gap penalties CLOSE to existing gaps  reduced gap penalties in hydrophilic stretches (presumed surface loop)  residue-specific gap penalties  and more...

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Other multiple alignment programs ClustalW / ClustalX pileup multalign multal saga hmmt DIALIGN SBpima MLpima T-Coffee...

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Other multiple alignment programs ClustalW / ClustalX pileup multalign multal saga hmmt DIALIGN SBpima MLpima T-Coffee...

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Global methods (e.g., ClustalX) get into trouble when data is not globally related!!!

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Global methods (e.g., ClustalX) get into trouble when data is not globally related!!! Clustalx

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Global methods (e.g., ClustalX) get into trouble when data is not globally related!!! Clustalx Possible solutions: (1) Cut out conserved regions of interest and THEN align them (2) Use method that deals with local similarity (e.g. DIALIGN)

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Brief Introduction to the Theory of Evolution Anders Gorm Pedersen Molecular Evolution Group Center for Biological Sequence Analysis

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Classification: Linnaeus Carl Linnaeus

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Classification: Linnaeus Hierarchical systemHierarchical system –Kingdom(Rige) –Phylum(Række) –Class(Klasse) –Order(Orden) –Family(Familie) –Genus(Slægt) –Species(Art)

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Classification depicted as a tree

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Classification depicted as a tree SpeciesGenusFamilyOrderClass

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Theory of evolution Charles Darwin

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Phylogenetic basis of systematics Linnaeus:Linnaeus: Ordering principle is God. Darwin:Darwin: Ordering principle is shared descent from common ancestors. Today, systematics is explicitly based on phylogeny.Today, systematics is explicitly based on phylogeny.

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Darwin’s four postulates  More young are produced each generation than can survive to reproduce.  Individuals in a population vary in their characteristics.  Some differences among individuals are based on genetic differences.  Individuals with favorable characteristics have higher rates of survival and reproduction.  Evolution by means of natural selection  Presence of ”design-like” features in organisms: quite often features are there “for a reason”

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Theory of evolution as the basis of biological understanding ”Nothing in biology makes sense, except in the light of evolution. Without that light it becomes a pile of sundry facts - some of them interesting or curious but making no meaningful picture as a whole” T. Dobzhansky

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Phylogenetic Reconstruction: Distance Matrix Methods Anders Gorm Pedersen Molecular Evolution Group Center for Biological Sequence Analysis Technical University of Denmark

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Trees: terminology

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Trees: terminology

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Trees: representations Three different representations of the same tree

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Trees: rooted vs. unrooted A rooted tree has a single node (the root) that represents a point in time that is earlier than any other node in the tree. A rooted tree has directionality (nodes can be ordered in terms of “earlier” or “later”). In the rooted tree, distance between two nodes is represented along the time-axis only (the second axis just helps spread out the leafs) EarlyLate

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Trees: rooted vs. unrooted A rooted tree has a single node (the root) that represents a point in time that is earlier than any other node in the tree. A rooted tree has directionality (nodes can be ordered in terms of “earlier” or “later”). In the rooted tree, distance between two nodes is represented along the time-axis only (the second axis just helps spread out the leafs) EarlyLate

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Trees: rooted vs. unrooted A rooted tree has a single node (the root) that represents a point in time that is earlier than any other node in the tree. A rooted tree has directionality (nodes can be ordered in terms of “earlier” or “later”). In the rooted tree, distance between two nodes is represented along the time-axis only (the second axis just helps spread out the leafs) EarlyLate

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Trees: rooted vs. unrooted In unrooted trees there is no directionality: we do not know if a node is earlier or later than another nodeIn unrooted trees there is no directionality: we do not know if a node is earlier or later than another node Distance along branches directly represents node distanceDistance along branches directly represents node distance

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Trees: rooted vs. unrooted In unrooted trees there is no directionality: we do not know if a node is earlier or later than another nodeIn unrooted trees there is no directionality: we do not know if a node is earlier or later than another node Distance along branches directly represents node distanceDistance along branches directly represents node distance

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Reconstructing a tree using non- contemporaneous data

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Reconstructing a tree using present-day data

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Data: molecular phylogeny DNA sequencesDNA sequences –genomic DNA –mitochondrial DNA –chloroplast DNA Protein sequencesProtein sequences Restriction site polymorphismsRestriction site polymorphisms DNA/DNA hybridizationDNA/DNA hybridization Immunological cross-reactionImmunological cross-reaction

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Morphology vs. molecular data African white-backed vulture (old world vulture) Andean condor (new world vulture) New and old world vultures seem to be closely related based on morphology. Molecular data indicates that old world vultures are related to birds of prey (falcons, hawks, etc.) while new world vultures are more closely related to storks Similar features presumably the result of convergent evolution

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Molecular data: single-celled organisms Molecular data useful for analyzing single-celled organisms (which have only few prominent morphological features).

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Distance Matrix Methods 1.Construct multiple alignment of sequences 2.Construct table listing all pairwise differences (distance matrix) 3.Construct tree from pairwise distances Gorilla : ACGTCGTA Human : ACGTTCCT Chimpanzee: ACGTTTCG GoHuCh Go-44 Hu-2 Ch- Go Hu Ch

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Finding Optimal Branch Lengths S1S1S1S1 S2S2S2S2 S3S3S3S3 S4S4S4S4 S1S1S1S1- D 12 D 13 D 14 S2S2S2S2- D 23 D 24 S3S3S3S3- D 34 S4S4S4S4- Observed distance S1 S3 S2 S4 a b c d e Distance along tree D 12  d 12 = a + b + c D 13  d 13 = a + d D 14  d 14 = a + b + e D 23  d 23 = d + b + c D 24  d 24 = c + e D 34  d 34 = d + b + e Goal:

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Optimal Branch Lengths: Least Squares Fit between given tree and observed distances can be expressed as “sum of squared differences”:Fit between given tree and observed distances can be expressed as “sum of squared differences”: Q =  (D ij - d ij ) 2 Q =  (D ij - d ij ) 2 Find branch lengths that minimize Q - this is the optimal set of branch lengths for this tree.Find branch lengths that minimize Q - this is the optimal set of branch lengths for this tree. S1 S3 S2 S4 a b c d e Distance along tree D 12  d 12 = a + b + c D 13  d 13 = a + d D 14  d 14 = a + b + e D 23  d 23 = d + b + c D 24  d 24 = c + e D 34  d 34 = d + b + e Goal: j>i

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Least Squares Optimality Criterion Search through all (or many) tree topologiesSearch through all (or many) tree topologies For each investigated tree, find best branch lengths using least squares criterionFor each investigated tree, find best branch lengths using least squares criterion Among all investigated trees, the best tree is the one with the smallest sum of squared errors.Among all investigated trees, the best tree is the one with the smallest sum of squared errors.

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Exhaustive search impossible for large data sets No. taxa No. trees , , ,027, ,459, ,729, ,749,310, ,234,143, ,905,853,580,625

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Heuristic search 1. Construct initial tree; determine sum of squares 2. Construct set of “neighboring trees” by making small rearrangements of initial tree; determine sum of squares for each neighbor 3. If any of the neighboring trees are better than the initial tree, then select it/them and use as starting point for new round of rearrangements. (Possibly several neighbors are equally good) 4. Repeat steps 2+3 until you have found a tree that is better than all of its neighbors. 5. This tree is a “local optimum” (not necessarily a global optimum!)

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Clustering Algorithms Starting point: Distance matrixStarting point: Distance matrix Cluster least different pair of sequences:Cluster least different pair of sequences: –Tree: pair connected to common ancestral node, compute branch lengths from ancestral node to both descendants –Distance matrix: combine two entries into one. Compute new distance matrix, by finding distance from new node to all other nodes Repeat until all nodes are linkedRepeat until all nodes are linked Results in only one tree, there is no measure of tree-goodness.Results in only one tree, there is no measure of tree-goodness.

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Neighbor Joining Algorithm For each tip compute u i =  j D ij /(n-2)For each tip compute u i =  j D ij /(n-2) (this is essentially the average distance to all other tips, except the denominator is n-2 instead of n) Find the pair of tips, i and j, where D ij -u i -u j is smallestFind the pair of tips, i and j, where D ij -u i -u j is smallest Connect the tips i and j, forming a new ancestral node. The branch lengths from the ancestral node to i and j are:Connect the tips i and j, forming a new ancestral node. The branch lengths from the ancestral node to i and j are: v i = 0.5 D ij (u i -u j ) v j = 0.5 D ij (u j -u i ) Update the distance matrix: Compute distance between new node and each remaining tip as follows:Update the distance matrix: Compute distance between new node and each remaining tip as follows: D ij,k = (D ik +D jk -D ij )/2 Replace tips i and j by the new node which is now treated as a tipReplace tips i and j by the new node which is now treated as a tip Repeat until only two nodes remain.Repeat until only two nodes remain.

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Superimposed Substitutions Actual number ofActual number of evolutionary events:5 Observed number ofObserved number of differences:2 Distance is (almost) always underestimatedDistance is (almost) always underestimated ACGGTGC C T GCGGTGA

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Model-based correction for superimposed substitutions Goal: try to infer the real number of evolutionary events (the real distance) based onGoal: try to infer the real number of evolutionary events (the real distance) based on 1. Observed data (sequence alignment) 2. A model of how evolution occurs

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Jukes and Cantor Model Four nucleotides assumed to be equally frequent (f=0.25)Four nucleotides assumed to be equally frequent (f=0.25) All 12 substitution rates assumed to be equalAll 12 substitution rates assumed to be equal Under this model the corrected distance is:Under this model the corrected distance is: D JC = x ln( x D OBS ) For instance:For instance: D OBS =0.43 => D JC =0.64 ACGT A -3     C    G    T   

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCE ANALYSIS Other models of evolution