Skip to main content
Log in

Nucleotide-amino acid interactions and their relation to the genetic code

  • Published:
Journal of Molecular Evolution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The apparent dissociation constants of the complexes of AMP with the methyl esters of amino acids in aqueous solution exhibit good correlations with features of the genetic code and with the frequencies of occurrence of amino acid residues in proteins. Thus it is likely that chemically selective nucleotide-amino acid interactions were involved in the processes of chemical evolution that have led to the emergence of the genetic code. Based on these correlations a storage device for the information regarding nucleotide-amino acid interactions is proposed. It involves processes of simultaneous polymerization to polynucleotides and polypeptides.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Crick, F.H.C. (1968). J. Mol. Biol.38, 367–379

    Google Scholar 

  • De Fontaine, D.L., Ross, D.K., Ternai, B. (1977). J. Phys. Chem.81, 792–798

    Google Scholar 

  • Deranleau, D.A. (1969). J. Am. Chem. Soc.91, 4044–4049

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimicoli, J.-L., Hélène, C. (1971). Biochimie53, 331–345

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox, J.L. (1978). Chem. Eng. News56 (27), 17–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Gamow, G. (1954). Nature173, 318–319

    Google Scholar 

  • Hélène, C. (1976). Stud. Biophys.57, 211–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Hélène, C. (1977). Recherche8, 122–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Hélène, C., Montenay-Garestier, T., Dimicoli, J.-L. (1971a). Biochim. Biophys. Acta254, 349–365

    Google Scholar 

  • Hélène, C., Dimicoli, J.-L., Brun, F. (1971b). Biochemistry10, 3802–3809

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawaczeck, R., Wagner, K.G. (1974). Biopolymers13, 2003–2014

    Google Scholar 

  • Mantsch, H.H., Neurohr, K. (1978). FEBS Letters86, 57–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitzutani, H., Ponnamperuma, C. (1977). Origins Life8, 183–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Morita, F. (1974). Biochim. Biophys. Acta343, 674–681

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelsestuen, G.L. (1978). J. Mol. Evol.11, 109–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Raszka, M., Mandel, M. (1972). J. Mol. Evol.2, 38–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Reeck, G. Handbook of Biochemistry, 2nd. edi. (1970) Sober, H.A., ed. pp. C281-C287. Cleveland, Ohio: The Chemical Rubber Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuben, J. (1978). FEBS Letters94, 20–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Saxinger, C., Ponnamperuma, C. (1974). Origins Life5, 189–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Saxinger, C., Ponnamperuma, C., Woese, C. (1971). Nature, New Biology,234, 172–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, K.G., Lawaczeck, R. (1972). J. Magn. Reson.8, 164–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, A.L., Lacey, J.D., Jr. (1978). J. Mol. Evol.11, 199–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Woese, C.R. (1970). Bioscience,20, 471–459

    Google Scholar 

  • Woese, C.R. (1973). Naturwissenschaften,60, 447–459

    Google Scholar 

  • Woese, C.R., Dugre, D.H., Dugre, J.A., Kondo, M., Saxinger, W.C. (1966). Symp. Quant. Biol.31, 723–736

    Google Scholar 

  • Zubay, G., Doty, P. (1958). Biochim. Biophys. Acta29, 47–58

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Reuben, J., Polk, F.E. Nucleotide-amino acid interactions and their relation to the genetic code. J Mol Evol 15, 103–112 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01732664

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01732664

Key words

Navigation