Transfer RNAs for primordial amino acids contain remnants of a primitive code at position 3 to 5

Abstract

Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of 1,400 transfer RNAs has revealed the imprint of a prototypic genetic code in position 3-4-5 of the acceptor stem. It appears only in the transfer RNAs for the primordial amino acids ie those found by chemical condensation of a nitrogen-methane-water-ammonia mixture. The model for primitive protein synthesis as mentioned by Crick assumes a direct interaction between the amino acid and a prototypic adaptor oligonucleotide. This has hitherto appeared irreconcilable with the large spatial separation between the aminoacylation site and the anticodon in present day transfer RNAs. The observations reported here show how this paradox can be resolved by a process of duplication and cleavage of a prototypic adaptor.