Genetic decoding

Berg. P. (1972) Suppression a subversion of genetic decoding. The Harvey Lectures, pp. 247-272, Academic Press, New York. 

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. 

Three main processes take place in the transfer and use of genetic information Replication is the means by which identical copies of DNA are made, forming additional molecules and preserving genetic information for passing on to offspring. Transcription is the means by which information in the DNA is transferred to and decoded by RNA. Translation is the means by which RNA uses the information to build proteins. 

Ideker T, Galitski T, Hood L. A new approach to decoding life systems biology. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2001 2 343-372. 

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