Is there an error correcting code in the base sequence in DNA?

• Published in: Biophysical journal Vol. 71; no. 3; pp. 1539 - 1544
• Main Authors: Liebovitch, L.S., Tao, Y., Todorov, A.T., Levine, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.1996
• Subjects: Base Sequence; Biophysical Phenomena; Biophysics; DNA - chemistry; DNA - genetics; DNA Repair; DNA Replication; Genetic Code; Models, Statistical; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
• ISSN: 0006-3495; 1542-0086
• DOI: 10.1016/S0006-3495(96)79356-6

Modern methods of encoding information into digital form include error check digits that are functions of the other information digits. When digital information is transmitted, the values of the error check digits can be computed from the information digits to determine whether the information has been received accurately. These error correcting codes make it possible to detect and correct common errors in transmission. The sequence of bases in DNA is also a digital code consisting of four symbols: A, C, G, and T. Does DNA also contain an error correcting code? Such a code would allow repair enzymes to protect the fidelity of nonreplicating DNA and increase the accuracy of replication. If a linear block error correcting code is present in DNA then some bases would be a linear function of the other bases in each set of bases. We developed an efficient procedure to determine whether such an error correcting code is present in the base sequence. We illustrate the use of this procedure by using it to analyze the lac operon and the gene for cytochrome c. These genes do not appear to contain such a simple error correcting code.