Evolutionary trace

Evolutionary trace is a method used to identify important parts of a protein by comparing its sequence across different species. By analyzing which amino acids are conserved (stay the same) over time, scientists can pinpoint regions crucial for the protein's function. These conserved areas are often involved in key biological tasks, such as binding to other molecules or catalyzing reactions. Essentially, evolutionary trace helps us understand which parts of a protein are vital for its activity by looking at its evolutionary history.