Beta-turn-driven early evolution: the genetic code and biosynthetic pathways.

J Jurka; T F Smith

doi:10.1007/bf02100036

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Beta-turn-driven early evolution: the genetic code and biosynthetic pathways.

J Jurka·T F Smith

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Abstract

The physicochemical properties of beta-turns suggest their biological importance prior to the formation of the genetic code. These properties include ones potentially affecting the preference for either L- or D-amino acids. The abundance of certain amino acids in beta-turns is correlated with their assignment to a small, well-defined part of the genetic code and with their role as metabolic precursors for other amino acids. It is proposed that in the prebiotic environment, beta-turns became objects of selection that influenced the evolution of the genetic code and biosynthetic pathways for amino acids.

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Biological Evolution Codon Drug Stability Genetic Code Models, Genetic Protein Conformation Journal Article Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

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J Jurka, T F Smith. 1987. Beta-turn-driven early evolution: the genetic code and biosynthetic pathways.. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02100036

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