Investigation of codon and amino-acid usages in a Rhizobium phage

Abstract

In this study codon and amino-acid usage of the phage genes were analyzed to understand the functionality of the protein coding genes. Low bias was noticed. The genes were influenced by mutational bias. Reasonable number of optimal codons was noticed. GC3 content does not play any role in synonymous codon usage: however gene expression levels and hydropathicity determine codon and amino acid usage variation. Highly expressed genes play an important role in infectivity.