Case for the genetic code as a triplet of triplets
Abstract
The genetic code for life is a triplet base code. It is known that adjacent codons can influence translation of a given codon and that codon pair biases occur throughout nature. We show that mRNA translation at a given codon can be affected by the two previous codons. Data presented here support a model in which the evolutionary selection pressure on a single codon is over five successive codons, including synonymous codons. This work provides a foundation for the interpretation of how single DNA base changes might affect translation over multiple codons and should be considered in the characterization of the effects of DNA base changes on human disease.
- Publication:
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- May 2017
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2017PNAS..114.4745C