Abstract
We address the question of the origin of three element coding units in the genetic code from the point of view of the dynamics of primitive molecular machines. We uncover statistical regularities of generic electromagnetic interaction potentials of polymers moving in quasi one dimensional channels and relate them to transport properties. We show that, within an extraterrestrial pre-biotic scenario, the conditions for locomotion of such polymers with a slowing down every three monomers are very likely. We argue that this kinematic property may be at the origin of the three base codon composition.
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© 1999 Springer-Verlag
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Martínez-Mekler, G., Aldana, M., Cocho, G. (1999). On the role of molecular machines in the origin of the genetic code. In: Reguera, D., Vilar, J., Rubí, J. (eds) Statistical Mechanics of Biocomplexity. Lecture Notes in Physics, vol 527. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0105011
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0105011
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