Information theory unveils the evolution of tRNA identity elements in the three domains of life

Theory Biosci. 2020 Feb;139(1):77-85. doi: 10.1007/s12064-019-00301-6. Epub 2019 Sep 18.

Abstract

We determined the identity elements of each tRNA isoacceptor for the three domains of life: Eubacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Our analyses encompass the most updated and curated available databases using an information theory approach. We obtained a collection of identity clusters for each of the isoacceptors of the 20 canonical amino acids for the three major domains of life. The identity clusters for all isoacceptors are compared within and among the three domains to determine their pattern of differentiation and to shed light on the evolution of the identity elements.

Keywords: Information theory; Three domains of life; tRNA evolution; tRNA identity elements.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / chemistry
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / genetics
  • Anticodon / genetics
  • Archaea / genetics*
  • Bacteria / genetics*
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Eukaryota / genetics*
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Information Theory
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation*
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Transfer / chemistry*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Anticodon
  • RNA, Transfer
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases