Evolution of Life on Earth: tRNA, Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases and the Genetic Code

Life
Lei Lei, Yunsoo Kim

Abstract

Life on Earth and the genetic code evolved around tRNA and the tRNA anticodon. We posit that the genetic code initially evolved to synthesize polyglycine as a cross-linking agent to stabilize protocells. We posit that the initial amino acids to enter the code occupied larger sectors of the code that were then invaded by incoming amino acids. Displacements of amino acids follow selection rules. The code sectored from a glycine code to a four amino acid code to an eight amino acid code to an ~16 amino acid code to the standard 20 amino acid code with stops. The proposed patterns of code sectoring are now most apparent from patterns of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase evolution. The Elongation Factor-Tu GTPase anticodon-codon latch that checks the accuracy of translation appears to have evolved at about the eight amino acid to ~16 amino acid stage. Before evolution of the EF-Tu latch, we posit that both the 1st and 3rd anticodon positions were wobble positions. The genetic code evolved via tRNA charging errors and via enzymatic modifications of amino acids joined to tRNAs, followed by tRNA and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase differentiation. Fidelity mechanisms froze the code by inhibiting further innovation.

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Citations

Dec 31, 2020·Life·Alexander Nesterov-MuellerHervé Seligmann
Apr 3, 2021·Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences·Ricardo EhrlichMónica Marín
May 19, 2021·Transcription·Lei Lei, Zachary Frome Burton
May 25, 2021·Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences·Lei Lei, Zachary F Burton
Oct 26, 2021·Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere : the Journal of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life·Piotr H Pawłowski
Oct 26, 2021·Frontiers in Veterinary Science·Chongyu ZhangYunkyoung Lee

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
GTPase

Software Mentioned

EF
Thr
LUCA
Pro
Tu

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