Adapter hypothesis
By F. Crick established adapter hypothesis , published in 1958, describes the process of translation of genetically encoded to in the form of proteins expressed information using an adapter molecule .
The adapter hypothesis replaced the long-widespread model, according to which a certain RNA can only bind to one specific amino acid with the help of a specific recess .
As early as 1955, Crick had doubts, since the amino acids often only differ from one another in the slightest and an exact differentiation using an RNA template thus seems implausible. Polarity also plays an important role: the bases of the RNA ( adenine , guanine , cytosine and uracil ) prefer other polar groups due to their polar, hydrophilic groups. Quite a few amino acids, however, have non-polar, hydrophobic onesChain links, which in turn have a strong tendency to bond with non-polar partners. The binding pockets on the RNA described by the model are polar, so binding is rather unlikely. Crick therefore postulated the involvement of specific proteins, adapter molecules that bind to amino acids and thus create unique attachment points for the specific base molecules of the RNA. It is easier to distinguish between the very similar amino acids. The discovery of tRNA and its role during translation proved the hypothesis.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Spektrum.de: Adapter hypothesis last accessed on January 27, 2016
- ↑ a b c d James D. Watson: Molecular Biology. Pearson Studies, 2010, ISBN 978-3868940299 .
- ↑ Werner E. Gerabek (author), Wolfgang Wegener (ed.): Enzyklopädie Medizingeschichte. de Gruyter, 2004, ISBN 978-3110157147 .