Genetic Code
Genetic Code
Genetic Code
Exact sequence of DNA nucleotides read as three letter words or codons, that determines the sequence of
amino acids in protein synthesis.
OR
The genetic code is the set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material (DNA or RNA
sequences) is translated into proteins (amino acid sequences) by living cells.
Types of Codon:
The genetic code consists of 64 triplets of nucleotides. These triplets are called codons. With three exceptions,
each codon encodes for one of the 20 amino acids used in the synthesis of proteins. This produces some
redundancy in the code.
Most of the amino acids are encoded by more than one codon. One codon that is AUG serves two related
functions. It signals the start of translation and codes for the incorporation of the amino acid methionine (Met)
into the growing polypeptide chain.
2. Signal Codons:
Those codons that code for signals during protein synthesis are known as signal codons. There are four codons
which code for signal. These are AUG, UAA, UAG and UGA.
The deletion of base C from leucine will change the genetic message in the following manner:
Experimental evidences also reveal that the genetic code is commaless. Khorana and coworkers have also
demonstrated that the genetic code is commaless.
The redundancy or degeneracy of the code is not random except for serine, leucine and arginine. All codons
coding for same amino acid are in the same box (except above three). Thus the first two letters are GC in all
four codons of alanine and GC and GU in all four codons of valine (Table 28.4).
In the following codons, reading of message from left to right and right to left will specify for different amino
acids. Because the codon in the following case will be read as UUG from left to right and as GUU from right
to left which codes for another amino acid.
This is well known that the message in mRNA is read in the 5 -3 direction. Thus the polarity of genetic code
is from 5 end to 3 end.