The Origins and Evolution of the Genetic Code

Dear Colleagues,

The genetic code connecting genes with proteins is one key member of the core life system and is composed of three members (gene, tRNA, genetic code and protein). Therefore, the origin of the genetic code, which is deeply involved in the origin of life, has been studied by many researchers thus far. However, the idea explaining from what code the genetic code originated and how the first code evolved into the universal (standard) genetic code has not yet been established. The main reasons before this are as follows.

1. Studies on the origin of the genetic code are carried out mainly based on stereochemical theory, based on which it is quite difficult to establish direct corresponding relationships between amino acids and codons or anticodons.
2. The origins of tRNA and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS), both of which are intimately related to the formation of the genetic code, still remain unclear.

On the other hand, elucidation of the evolution of the genetic code is of course quite important, because the evolutionary pathway should progress in parallel with the evolutionary processes of genes and proteins. However, the evolutionary pathway of the genetic code also remains unsolved, irrespective of strenuous efforts of many researchers. Therefore, it is necessary to make clear the following things:

1. What amino acids were used in the most primeval genetic code and what types of amino acids were captured in the most primeval genetic code and in what order to complete the modern genetic code?
2. It Whether or not there was a division of roles between the first amino acids and amino acids introduced later into the first genetic code.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to discuss the origin and evolution of the genetic code. Therefore, I am looking forward to receiving many papers discussing the origins and evolution of tRNA, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS), amino acid metabolism, genes and proteins, in addition to the origin and evolution of the genetic code.

Prof. Kenji Ikehara
Guest Editor

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