Expanding genetic code: Amino acids 21 and 22, selenocysteine and pyrrolysine |
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Authors: | N P Lukashenko |
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Institution: | 1.Vavilov Institute of General Genetics,Russian Academy of Sciences,Moscow,Russia |
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Abstract: | The discovery of two atypical amino acids, selenocysteine and pyrrolysine, in the genetic code is discussed. These findings
have expanded our understanding of the genetic code, since the repertoire of amino acids in the genetic code was supplemented
by two novel ones, in addition of the standard 20 amino acids. Current views on specific mechanisms of selenocysteine insertion
in forming selenoproteins are considered, as well as the results of studies of new translational components involved in biosynthesis
and incorporation of selenocysteine at different stages of translation. Similarity in the strategies of decoding UGA and UAG
as codons for respectively selenocysteine and pyrrolysine is discussed. The review also presents evidence on the medical and
biological role of selenium and selenoproteins containing selenocysteine as the main biological form of selenium. |
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