Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

From DNA to Protein03:06

From DNA to Protein

17.9K
The flow of genetic information in cells from DNA to mRNA to protein is described by the central dogma, which states that genes specify the sequence of mRNAs, which in turn specify the sequence of amino acids making up all proteins. The decoding of one molecule to another is performed by specific proteins and RNAs. Because the information stored in DNA is so central to cellular function, it makes intuitive sense that the cell would make mRNA copies of this information for protein synthesis...
17.9K
The Central Dogma01:20

The Central Dogma

20.3K
The central dogma explains the flow of genetic information from DNA nucleotides to the amino acid sequence of proteins.
RNA is the Missing Link Between DNA and Proteins
In the early 1900s, scientists discovered that DNA stores all the information needed for cellular functions and that proteins perform most of these functions. However, the mechanisms of converting genetic information into functional proteins remained unknown for many years. Initially, it was believed that a single gene is...
20.3K
DNA as a Genetic Template02:05

DNA as a Genetic Template

21.6K
Two structural features of the DNA molecule provide a basis for the mechanisms of heredity: the four nucleotide bases and its double-stranded nature. The Watson-Crick model of double-helical DNA structure, proposed in 1952, drew heavily upon the X-ray crystallography work of researchers Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins. Watson, Crick, and Wilkins jointly received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work in 1962. Franklin was, controversially, excluded from the prize for...
21.6K
Transfer RNA Synthesis02:36

Transfer RNA Synthesis

11.9K
One of the unique features of tRNA is the presence of modified bases. In some tRNAs, modified bases account for nearly 20% of the total bases in the molecule. Altogether, these unusual bases protect the tRNA from enzymatic degradation by RNases.
Each of these chemical modifications is carried by a specific enzyme, post-transcription. All of these enzymes have unique base and site-specificity. Methylation, the most common chemical modification, is carried by at least nine different enzymes, with...
11.9K
Organization of Genes02:07

Organization of Genes

68.3K
Overview
68.3K
Overview of Transposition and Recombination02:13

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

15.2K
Transposons make up a significant part of genomes of various organisms. Therefore, it is believed that transposition played a major evolutionary role in speciation by changing genome sizes and modifying gene expression patterns. For example, in bacteria, transposition can lead to conferring antibiotic resistance. Movement of transposable elements within the genetic pool of pathogenic bacteria can aid in transfer of antibiotic-resistant genetic elements. In eukaryotes, transposons can carry out...
15.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Zα and Zβ domains of ADAR1 and ZBP1 bind G-quadruplexes with nanomolar affinities, establishing Zβ as a G-quadruplex-specific domain.

Nucleic acids research·2026
Same author

The Chromaverse Is Colored by Triplexes Formed Through the Interactions of Noncoding RNAs with HNPRNPU, TP53, AGO, REL Proteins, Intrinsically-Disordered Regions, and Flipons.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026
Same author

G-Quadruplexes Abet Neuronal Burnout in ALS and FTD.

Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Control of Gene Expression by Proteins That Bind Many Alternative Nucleic Acid Structures Through the Same Domain.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026
Same author

Zα and Zβ domains of ADAR1 and ZBP1 bind to G-quadruplexes with low micromolar affinity.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

The evolutionary entanglement of flipons with zinc fingers and retroelements has engendered a large family of Z-DNA and G-quadruplex binding proteins.

Open biology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2025

Identifying Amino Acid Overproducers Using Rare-Codon-Rich Markers
10:41

Identifying Amino Acid Overproducers Using Rare-Codon-Rich Markers

Published on: June 24, 2019

8.1K

Flipons and the origin of the genetic code.

Alan Herbert1

  • 1Discovery, InsideOutBio , Charlestown, MA, USA.

Biology Letters
|January 21, 2025
PubMed
Summary

This study proposes a novel origin for the genetic code, suggesting alternative nucleic acid structures (ANS) and dipeptide polymers (DPS) evolved into the triplet code. These

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The origin of the genetic code remains a fundamental question in molecular biology.
  • Existing theories struggle to explain the precise mapping of nucleotides to amino acids.
  • Alternative nucleic acid structures (ANS) have been proposed as potential early genetic elements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a novel hypothesis for the origin of the contemporary genetic code.
  • To explain the transition from nucleotide sequences to amino acid polymers.
  • To provide a testable framework for understanding early genetic system evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Computational modeling using AlphaFold3 to predict interactions.
  • Analysis of sequence-specific contacts between ANS and dipeptide polymers (DPS).
Keywords:
DNARNAevolutionfliponsgenetic codetinkers

More Related Videos

Antimicrobial Peptides Produced by Selective Pressure Incorporation of Non-canonical Amino Acids
11:56

Antimicrobial Peptides Produced by Selective Pressure Incorporation of Non-canonical Amino Acids

Published on: May 4, 2018

12.4K
A Facile Protocol to Generate Site-Specifically Acetylated Proteins in Escherichia Coli
11:08

A Facile Protocol to Generate Site-Specifically Acetylated Proteins in Escherichia Coli

Published on: December 9, 2017

7.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2025

Identifying Amino Acid Overproducers Using Rare-Codon-Rich Markers
10:41

Identifying Amino Acid Overproducers Using Rare-Codon-Rich Markers

Published on: June 24, 2019

8.1K
Antimicrobial Peptides Produced by Selective Pressure Incorporation of Non-canonical Amino Acids
11:56

Antimicrobial Peptides Produced by Selective Pressure Incorporation of Non-canonical Amino Acids

Published on: May 4, 2018

12.4K
A Facile Protocol to Generate Site-Specifically Acetylated Proteins in Escherichia Coli
11:08

A Facile Protocol to Generate Site-Specifically Acetylated Proteins in Escherichia Coli

Published on: December 9, 2017

7.0K
  • Theoretical framework based on stereochemistry and self-templating systems.

    • Main Results:

    • A model where ANS repeats map to dipeptide polymers (DPS).
    • Stereochemical constraints naturally lead to a non-overlapping triplet code.
    • ANS/DPS complexes exhibit self-templating and autonomous replication capabilities, termed 'tinkers'.

    Conclusions:

    • Alternative nucleic acid structures and dipeptide polymers offer a plausible origin for the genetic code.
    • The proposed 'tinker' model provides a mechanism for early genetic evolution and agency.
    • The model's predictions are falsifiable with current experimental methodologies.