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A simple structural feature is a major determinant of the identity of a transfer RNA

Nature volume 333, pages 140–145 (1988)Cite this article

Abstract

Analysis of a series of mutants of an Escherichia coli alanine transfer RNA shows that substitution of a single G-U base pair in the acceptor helix eliminates aminoacylation with alanine in vivo and in vitro. Introduction of that base pair into the analogous position of a cysteine and a phenylalanine transfer RNA confers upon each the ability to be aminoacylated with alanine. Thus, as little as a single base pair can direct an amino acid to a specific transfer RNA.

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  1. Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA

    Ya-Ming Hou & Paul Schimmel

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  1. Ya-Ming Hou
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  2. Paul Schimmel
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Hou, YM., Schimmel, P. A simple structural feature is a major determinant of the identity of a transfer RNA. Nature 333, 140–145 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/333140a0

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