The primary structure of carp myoglobin in the context of molecular evolution

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Abstract
The amino acid sequence of skeletal muscle myoglobin from carp (Cyprinus carpio) is presented. Comparisons are made with previously reported myoglobin sequences for several other fish and birds, and many mammals. The functional significance of the amino acid substitutions and ‘deletions’ in the carp sequence is considered. The new sequence is used in a re-examination of the evidence for an approximately constant rate of molecular evolution. By using estimates of the dates of divergence of lineages leading to living species and equations put forward by proponents of the ‘neutral theory’ of biochemical evolution it is demonstrated that similar amounts of change appear to have occurred over periods of time that differ by more than a factor of two.