Genetic Code: An Alternative Model of Translation

A bstract : Our earlier studies of translation have led us to a specific numeric coding of nucleotides (A = 0, C = 1, G = 2, and U = 3)—that is, a quaternary numeric system; to ordering of digrams and codons (read right to left: .yx and Z.yx) as ordinal numbers from 000 to 111; and to seek hypothetic transformation of mRNA to 20 canonic amino acids. In this work, we show that amino acids match the ordinal number—that is, follow as transforms of their respective digrams and/or mRNA‐codons. Sixteen digrams and their respective amino acids appear as a parallel (discrete) array. A first approximation of translation in this view is demonstrated by a “twisted” spiral on the side of “phantom” codons and by ordering amino acids in the form of a cross on the other side, whereby the transformation of digrams and/or phantom codons to amino acids appears to be one‐to‐one! Classification of canonical amino acids derived from our dynamic model clarifies physicochemical criteria, such as purinity, pyrimidinity, and particularly codon rules. The system implies both the rules of Siemion and Siemion and of Davidov, as well as balances of atomic and nucleon numbers within groups of amino acids. Formalization in this system offers the possibility of extrapolating backward to the initial organization of heredity.