DeCODE Genetics

David Hermann, deCODE Genetics, 1032 Karl Greimel Drive, Brighton, MI 48116 [david.hermann decode.com]... 

In all, at least 100 different molecules are involved in protein synthesis. Among the most important of these are the components of the ribosome, a supramolec-ular structure composed of RNA and protein that rapidly and precisely decodes genetic messages. Speed is required because organisms must respond expeditiously to ever-changing environmental conditions. In prokaryotes such as E. coli, for example, a polypeptide of 100 residues is synthesized in about 6 s. Precision in mRNA translation is critical because, as described previously, the accurate folding, and therefore the proper functioning, of each polypeptide is determined by the molecule s primary sequence. 

C. Dawson. Religion and the Rise of Western Culture. Doubleday, NY Decode Genetics From Genes To Drugs. 

Icelandic Health Care Database- deCode Genetics. Inc. website http //www.database.is/almennt.html>. 

Translation—the process by which the genetic messages are decoded and used to synthesize proteins... 

Source Coronini R, et al. Decoding the literature on genetic variation, Nature Biotechnology 21 21-29 (2003). 

Figure 10 Alteration of the genetic code for incorporation of non-natural amino acids, (a) In nonsense suppression, the stop codon UAG is decoded by a non-natural tRNA with the anticodon CUA. In vivo decoding of the UAG codon by this tRNA is in competition with termination of protein synthesis by release factor 1 (RFl). Purified in vitro translation systems allow omission of RF1 from the reaction mixture, (b) A new codon-anticodon pair can be created using four-base codons such as GGGU. Crystal structures of these codon-anticodon complexes in the ribosomal decoding center revealed that the C in the third anticodon position interacts with both the third and fourth codon position (purple line) while the extra A in the anticodon loop does not contact the codon.(c) Non-natural base pairs also allow creation of new codon-anticodon pairs. Shown here is the interaction of the base Y with either base X or (hydrogen bonds are indicated by red dashes).

DNA shuffling A method to exchange portions of DNA among similar genes, in order to select for a certain trait, genetic code The set of rules that decodes nucleotide triplets (codons) into amino acids, which is identical in nearly every organism. 

Bacterial protein biosynthesis is a cascade of events which manufacture chains of amino acids before they are folded into specific structures to carry out various biological functions. Protein biosynthesis is absolutely essential for the survival of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Ribosomes, macromolecular complexes made up of proteins and RNA, participate in decoding the genetic message to synthesize both essential and nonessential proteins to carry out cellular functions. 

Groopman, J. 1998. Decoding Destiny Genetic Testing. The New Yorker (February 9, 1998) 42. 

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