ISSN:
1432-1432
Keywords:
Amino acid code
;
Evolution
;
Primitive codes
;
Mitochondria
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Differences between mitochondrial codes and the universal code indicate that an evolutionary simplification has taken place, rather than a return to a more primitive code. However, these differences make it evident that the universal code is not the only code possible, and therefore earlier codes may have differed markedly from the previous code. The present universal code is probably a “frozen accident.” The change in CUN codons from leucine to threonine (Neurospora vs. yeast mitochondria) indicates that neutral or near-neutral changes occurred in the corresponding proteins when this code change took place, caused presumably by a mutation in a tRNA gene.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01733206
