Synonymous/Nonsynonymous Mutations (Ks/Ka)

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Synonymous Mutations (Ks) Mutations/substitutions of DNA base pairs that do not result in a change of amino acid sequence. Also known as a silent mutation.


Non-synonymous mutations (Ka) Mutations/substitutions of DNA base pairs that result in a single amino acid change on a given polypeptide. Also known as a substitution mutation.


Non-synonymous/Synonymous mutation ratio (Ka/Ks) Ratio of mutations that change a specific protein structure (non-synonymous, Ka) to mutations that do not change a specific protein. This ratio is used to estimate the selection pressure a given protein or section of DNA experiences. This ratio has been used in several ways: 1) to enhance gene predictions as areas of coding sequence will have a lower Ka/Ks ratio than non-coding areas; 2) determine differences in natural selection pressure on proteins.

  • Neutral selection (Ka/Ks = 1) occurs when coding sequences
  • Positive selection (Ka/Ks > 1)
  • Purifying selection (Ka/Ks < 1)
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