Wobble base pair
Wobble Base Pair
Wobble base pair (/ˈwɒbəl beɪs pɛər/) is a pairing between two nucleotides in RNA molecules that does not follow the traditional Watson-Crick base pairing rules. The term was first coined by Francis Crick in 1966.
Etymology
The term "wobble" was derived from the observation that the third base of a codon can move, or "wobble," without affecting the overall reading frame during protein synthesis. The "base pair" part of the term refers to the pairing of nucleotides that occurs in the structure of RNA.
Description
In a wobble base pair, the first two nucleotide bases pair normally, while the third base can have non-standard pairing. This allows for the codon to be read differently, which can result in the coding for a different amino acid. This is a key aspect of the genetic code's redundancy, which allows for a single amino acid to be coded by more than one codon.
Related Terms
- Codon: A sequence of three DNA or RNA nucleotides that corresponds with a specific amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis.
- Nucleotide: The basic building block of DNA and RNA, consisting of a base, a sugar, and a phosphate group.
- Watson-Crick Base Pairing: The standard pairing of nucleotide bases in DNA and RNA, named after the scientists who discovered the structure of DNA.
- Amino Acid: The building blocks of proteins, coded for by codons in the genetic code.
- Protein Synthesis: The process by which the genetic code is used to build proteins in the body.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Wobble base pair
- Wikipedia's article - Wobble base pair
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