Energy mapping of the genetic code and genomic domains: implications for code evolution and molecular Darwinism
Horst H Klump1, Jens Völker2, Kenneth J Breslauer2,3
1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch7800, South Africa.
Quarterly Reviews of Biophysics
|November 4, 2020
Summary
The genetic code may function as an energy code, with DNA sequences correlating to free energy profiles. This suggests thermodynamic selection influenced early genetic code evolution, driven by energetics and biophysical properties.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Thermodynamics
Background:
- The genetic code translates DNA sequences into proteins.
- The role of energy differentials in genetic information is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between DNA genetic code, energy differentials, and biological outcomes.
- To explore the hypothesis that the genetic code fundamentally maps as an energy code.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of free energy profiles associated with DNA sequences.
- Correlation analysis between codon usage, codon free energy, and amino acid properties.
Main Results:
- Observed correlations between codon usage and codon free energy, suggesting thermodynamic selection.
- Found correlations between ancient amino acids and high codon free energy values.
- Evidence suggests the genetic code may be fundamentally an energy code.
Conclusions:
- Early evolution of the genetic code may have been driven by differential energetics and biophysical property optimization.
- The genetic code's evolution might be influenced by an energy landscape and 'molecular Darwinism'.
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