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Chain termination codons and polymerase‐induced frameshift mutations
Author(s) -
Jestin Jean-Luc,
Kempf Achim
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(97)01422-1
Subject(s) - frameshift mutation , genetic code , genetics , biology , polymerase , base pair , dna , stop codon , polymerase chain reaction , sequence (biology) , dna polymerase , mutation , gene , computational biology
The consensus sequence for single‐base deletions in non‐reiterated runs during in vitro DNA‐dependent DNA polymerisation is refined using data available in the literature. This leads to the observation that chain termination codons are hotspots for single‐base deletions. The evolutionary implications are discussed in two models which differ in whether polymerases evolved while the genetic code emerged or after the genetic code was fixed. A possible answer to the question `Why are stop codons just what they are?' is suggested.