A cybernetic approach to the origin of the genetic coding mechanism. II. Formation of the code series

Orig Life. 1976 Aug;7(3):229-33. doi: 10.1007/BF00926940.

Abstract

The sequential fulfillment of the principle of succession necessarily guides the main steps of the genetic code evolution to be reflected in its structure. The general scheme of the code series formation is proposed basing on the idea of "group coding" (Woese, 1970). The genetic code supposedly evolved by means of successive divergence of pra-ARS's loci, accompanied by increasing specification of recognition capacity of amino acids and triplets. The sense of codons had not been changed on any step of stochastic code evolution. The formulated rules for code series formation produce a code version, similar to the contemporary one. Based on these rules the scheme of pra-ARS's divergence is proposed resulting in the grouping of amino acids by their polarity and size. Later steps in the evolution of the genetic code were probably based on more detailed features of the amino acids (for example, on their functional similarities like their interchangeabilities in isofunctional proteins).

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids
  • Biological Evolution
  • Codon
  • Genetic Code*
  • Molecular Biology
  • Proteins

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Codon
  • Proteins