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Comparative Study
. 1978 Feb 21;10(4):319-23.
doi: 10.1007/BF01734221.

Pattern and chance in the use of the genetic code

E M Berger
Comparative Study

Pattern and chance in the use of the genetic code

E M Berger. J Mol Evol. .

Abstract

The use of triplet code words in E. coli, phiX174, MS2, and rabbit globin was examined. A significant deficiency of purines in the third position of four fold degenerate codons was noted, although its significance is not understood. There has been no consistent selection against uracil in pyrimidine restricted codons. For many amino acids the choice between code words appears random, while for arginine, isoleucine, and probably glycine, distinct biases exist which can be explained in terms of tRNA availability.

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