A crystal base for the genetic code

The quantum algebra U q ( sl(2) ⊕ sl(2)) in the limit q → 0 is proposed as a symmetry algebra for the genetic code. The triplets of nucleotides (codons) in the DNA chain are classified in crystal bases. This construction might be compared to the baryon classification from quarks in particle physics,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysics letters. A Vol. 250; no. 1; pp. 214 - 221
Main Authors Frappat, L., Sorba, P., Sciarrino, A.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier B.V 21.12.1998
Elsevier
Subjects
Biological Physics
Mathematics
Physics
Quantum Algebra
87.10.+e
02.10.−v
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Summary:The quantum algebra U q ( sl(2) ⊕ sl(2)) in the limit q → 0 is proposed as a symmetry algebra for the genetic code. The triplets of nucleotides (codons) in the DNA chain are classified in crystal bases. This construction might be compared to the baryon classification from quarks in particle physics, one main difference being the natural order in the state constituents provided by the crystal base. An operator ensuring the correspondence codon/amino-acid is constructed out of the above algebra: two codons relative to the same (respectively different) amino-acid(s) acquire the same (respectively different) eigenvalue(s). The free energy released by base pairing in double stranded RNA is also computed in our model.
ISSN:0375-9601
1873-2429
DOI:10.1016/S0375-9601(98)00761-0