The genetic code as a clue to understanding of molecular evolution.
The genetic code is comprised of a system concerning the distribution of doublets of the first two codon bases among amino acids. According to this system a definite order in the relative distribution of the first and the second codon bases coincides with a definite order among the common amino acids and their distribution for the number of hydrogen atoms per molecule (an unexpected parameter). The pattern of the relative distribution of the first and the second codon bases suggests it originated from a crystalline-like structure in which the set of bases AUGC served as an elementary structural unit and the base doublets played the role of structural analogs to the amino acids. These hypothetical crystalline-like aggregates are composed of the free molecules of amino acids and bases, and although different in their composition, should have an even number of hydrogen atoms per standard structural module.
Sukhodolets
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Molecular Genetics Division, Institute of Genetics and Selection of Industrial Microorganisms, Moscow, U.S.S.R.
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003062:Codon / Q000032:analysis; D003460:Crystallization; D005815:Genetic Code / Q000502:physiology*; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000032:analysis
D000596:Amino Acids; D003062:Codon; D009696:Nucleic Acids