Changing the Identity of a tRNA by Introducing a G-U Wobble Pair near the 3$^{\prime}$ Acceptor End

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 240; no. 4853; pp. 793 - 796
• Main Authors: McClain, William H., Foss, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The American Association for the Advancement of Science 06.05.1988; American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Alanine - genetics; Amino acids; Amino Acids - genetics; Analysis; Anticodon; Base Composition; Base Sequence; Biotechnology; Escherichia coli - genetics; Genera; Genetic mutation; Genetic translation; Genetics; Guanosine; Habitat preferences; Mass extinction events; Medical research; Molecules; Mutation; Nucleotide sequence; Nucleotides; Phenylalanine - genetics; Proteins; RNA, Bacterial - genetics; RNA, Transfer - genetics; RNA, Transfer, Ala - genetics; RNA, Transfer, Gly - genetics; RNA, Transfer, Lys - genetics; RNA, Transfer, Phe - genetics; Species extinction; Suppression, Genetic; Transfer RNA; Translation (Genetics); Uridine
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.2452483

Although the genetic code for protein was established in the 1960's, the basis for amino acid identity of transfer RNA (tRNA) has remained unknown. To investigate the identity of a tRNA, the nucleotides at three computer-identified positions in tRNA$^{\text{Phe}}$ (phenylalanine tRNA) were replaced with the corresponding nucleotides from tRNA$^{\text{Ala}}$ (alanine tRNA). The identity of the resulting tRNA, when examined as an amber suppressor in Escherichia coli, was that of tRNA$^{\text{Ala}}$.