Probability of coding of a DNA sequence: an algorithm to predict translated reading frames from their thermodynamic characteristics

• Published in: Nucleic acids research Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 127 - 135
• Main Authors: Tramontano, A, Macchiato, M.F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 10.01.1986
• Subjects: algorithms; Amino Acid Sequence; amino acid sequences; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; coding sequences; Codon; Computers; DNA; DNA - analysis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; genes; Genetic code; information value of codon; Mathematics; Molecular and cellular biology; Molecular genetics; non-coding sequences; nucleotide sequences; open reading frames; prediction; probability analysis; Protein Biosynthesis; proteins; Proteins - genetics; Software; Thermodynamics; translation; Translation; Investigation method; DNA; Thermodynamic parameter; Computerized processing; Probability; Primary structure; Technique; Algorithm; Code
• ISSN: 0305-1048; 1362-4962
• DOI: 10.1093/nar/14.1.127

An algorithm to determine the probability that a reading frame codifies for a protein is presented. It is based on the results of our previous studies on the thermodynamic characteristics of a translated reading frame. We also develop a prediction procedure to distinguish between coding and non-coding reading frames. The procedure is based on the characteristics of the putative product of the DNA sequence and not on periodicity characteristics of the sequence, so the prediction is not biased by the presence of overlapping translated reading frames or by the presence of translated reading frames on the complementary DNA strand.