NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Amino acid codes in mitochondria as possible clues to primitive codesDifferences between mitochondrial codes and the universal code indicate that an evolutionary simplification has taken place, rather than a return to a more primitive code. However, these differences make it evident that the universal code is not the only code possible, and therefore earlier codes may have differed markedly from the previous code. The present universal code is probably a 'frozen accident.' The change in CUN codons from leucine to threonine (Neurospora vs. yeast mitochondria) indicates that neutral or near-neutral changes occurred in the corresponding proteins when this code change took place, caused presumably by a mutation in a tRNA gene.
Document ID
19820044692
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Jukes, T. H.
(California, University Berkeley, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Molecular Evolution
Volume: 18
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
82A28227
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-05-003-460
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available