Abstract
Selection for affinity for free histidine yields a single RNA aptamer, which was isolated 54 times independently. This RNA is highly specific for the side chain and binds protonated L-histidine with 102−103-fold stereoselectivity and a dissociation constant (K D ) of 8–54 μM in different isolates. These histidine-binding RNAs have a common internal loop–hairpin loop structure, based on a conserved RAAGUGGGKKN0–36 AUGUN0–2AGKAACAG sequence. Notably, the repetitively isolated sequence contains two histidine anticodons, both implicated by conservation and chemical data in amino acid affinity. This site is probably the simplest structure that can meet our histidine affinity selection, which strengthens experimental support for a “stereochemical” origin of the genetic code.
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We thank members or our laboratory for comments on the manuscript. Preparation of this manuscript was supported by NIH Grant GM 48080 and NASA Center for Astrobiology Grant NCC2-1052.
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[Reviewing Editor: Niles Lehman]
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Majerfeld, I., Puthenvedu, D. & Yarus, M. RNA Affinity for Molecular L-Histidine; Genetic Code Origins. J Mol Evol 61, 226–235 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-004-0360-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-004-0360-9