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Genetic code supports targeted insertion of two amino acids by one codon.

ABSTRACT: Strict one-to-one correspondence between codons and amino acids is thought to be an essential feature of the genetic code. However, we report that one codon can code for two different amino acids with the choice of the inserted amino acid determined by a specific 3' untranslated region structure and location of the dual-function codon within the messenger RNA (mRNA). We found that the codon UGA specifies insertion of selenocysteine and cysteine in the ciliate Euplotes crassus, that the dual use of this codon can occur even within the same gene, and that the structural arrangements of Euplotes mRNA preserve location-dependent dual function of UGA when expressed in mammalian cells. Thus, the genetic code supports the use of one codon to code for multiple amino acids.

SUBMITTER: Turanov AA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3088105 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Genetic code supports targeted insertion of two amino acids by one codon.

Turanov Anton A AA Lobanov Alexey V AV Fomenko Dmitri E DE Morrison Hilary G HG Sogin Mitchell L ML Klobutcher Lawrence A LA Hatfield Dolph L DL Gladyshev Vadim N VN

Science (New York, N.Y.) 20090101 5911

Strict one-to-one correspondence between codons and amino acids is thought to be an essential feature of the genetic code. However, we report that one codon can code for two different amino acids with the choice of the inserted amino acid determined by a specific 3' untranslated region structure and location of the dual-function codon within the messenger RNA (mRNA). We found that the codon UGA specifies insertion of selenocysteine and cysteine in the ciliate Euplotes crassus, that the dual use ...[more]

PMID: 19131629

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