The adaptor hypothesis revisited

Trends Biochem Sci. 2000 Jul;25(7):311-6. doi: 10.1016/s0968-0004(00)01600-5.

Abstract

As originally postulated in Crick's Adaptor hypothesis, the faithful synthesis of proteins from messenger RNA is dependent on the presence of perfectly acylated tRNAs. The hypothesis also suggested that each aminoacyl-tRNA would be made by a unique enzyme. Recent data have now forced a revision of this latter point, with an increasingly diverse array of enzymes and pathways being implicated in aminoacyl-tRNA synthesis. These unexpected findings have far-reaching implications for our understanding of protein synthesis and its origins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / classification
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / genetics
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / metabolism*
  • Archaeal Proteins / genetics
  • Archaeal Proteins / metabolism
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Lysine-tRNA Ligase / classification
  • Lysine-tRNA Ligase / metabolism
  • Models, Genetic
  • Phylogeny
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • RNA, Transfer, Amino Acid-Specific / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Transfer, Amino Acid-Specific / genetics
  • RNA, Transfer, Amino Acid-Specific / metabolism*
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Archaeal Proteins
  • RNA, Transfer, Amino Acid-Specific
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases
  • cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase
  • Lysine-tRNA Ligase