Amino Join Unit Confirmation
<two stretches of mRNA that differ only in synonymous codons can translate into two proteins that have identical amino acid sequences but different three-dimensional shapes.> See Ivan Amato's C&EN article "Silent No Longer"
If the join type can be determined for each of the codons, then the main chain skeleton of any protein whose codons are known will be observable in any spatial orientation on the computer screen and its absolute conformation will thereby be known.
The side chains are not as fully defined. But, they can be properly placed at anytime on the main chain units as they become known.
It is a grave worry to me that genetic engineering continues without the engineer's knowledge of the fact that each codon specifies a given join unit. There are no true synonyms. The folding is determined by the join unit. The conformation of the protein is determined by the sequence of its join units. Change one join unit and the conformation of the protein is altered and it no longer will fit in the same location. It sounds to me like a disaster in the making.
Robert William Whitby
The side chains are not as fully defined. But, they can be properly placed at anytime on the main chain units as they become known.
It is a grave worry to me that genetic engineering continues without the engineer's knowledge of the fact that each codon specifies a given join unit. There are no true synonyms. The folding is determined by the join unit. The conformation of the protein is determined by the sequence of its join units. Change one join unit and the conformation of the protein is altered and it no longer will fit in the same location. It sounds to me like a disaster in the making.
Robert William Whitby
