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A new hypothesis on the evolution of the genetic code

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Summary

Starting from the assumption that specific steric and energetic interactions between amino acids and their respective anticodons could exist, the evolution of the genetic code is deduced from purely chemical and physical reasons. In this model the amino acids are intercalated between the two first anticodon bases and their carbon bound hydrogen atoms are assumed to penetrate into the electron clouds of the bases. By these means a gain in energy and a fixation of the amino acid is obtained in such a way that the anticodon nucleotides could be determinant for the nature of the amino acids.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Service de Biochimie, Département de Biologie, Centre d'Etudes Nucléaires de Saclay, B. P. No. 2, 91, Gif-sur-Yvette, France

    Gerhard Melcher

  2. Institut für Mikrobiologie und Biochemische Technologie der Technischen Hochschule Wien, Getreidemarkt 9, Wien 6, Austria

    Gerhard Melcher

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  1. Gerhard Melcher
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Melcher, G. A new hypothesis on the evolution of the genetic code. Biophysik 7, 25–28 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01189459

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01189459

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