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Transfer RNA mutation and the malleability of the genetic code
Transfer RNA mutation and the malleability of the genetic code.
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We propose that evolutionary reassignment of codons is facilitated by a translationally ambiguous intermediate. For example, recently discovered tRNA mutations that allow relatively efficient simultaneous cognate and near-cognate coding (sharing 2 contiguous nt) in vivo may speed reassignment of the near-cognate codon. As predicted by this notion, characterized codon reassignments are strikingly non-random, and half can be immediately explained by unusual tRNA activities already demonstrated. In addition, sequences of reassigned tRNAs contain sequences that promote ambiguity. tRNA structural change may provide a transitional pathway that allows rapid selection of a new specificity, rather than slow mutation toward a new codon-amino acid association.
Schultz DW, Yarus M
Journal of molecular biology
1994-02-04 00:00
235
5
1377-80
Codon,Escherichia coli,Evolution,Genetic Code,Models, Genetic,Mutation,Nucleic Acid Conformation,Protein Biosynthesis,RNA, Transfer,Codon,RNA, Transfer
Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309-0347
J. Mol. Biol.
NIGMS GM30881
0022-2836
10.1006/jmbi.1994.1094
S0022-2836(84)71094-1
1488
True
8107079
