Drosophila melanogaster mitochondrial DNA, a novel organization and genetic code

Nature. 1983 Jul;304(5923):234-41. doi: 10.1038/304234a0.

Abstract

The sequence of a 4,869 base-pair fragment of Drosophila melanogaster mitochondrial DNA is presented. It contains genes for cytochrome oxidase subunits I, II and III, ATPase subunit 6 and six tRNAs together with two unassigned reading frames. The gene organization differs from that of mammalian mitochondrial DNAs. Evidence is provided for a genetic code in which AGA codes for serine and the quadruplet ATAA is used in initiation of translation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Composition
  • Base Sequence
  • Cattle
  • Codon / genetics
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Genes*
  • Genetic Code
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Species Specificity
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Codon
  • DNA, Mitochondrial

Associated data

  • GENBANK/J01404
  • GENBANK/J01405
  • GENBANK/J01407