Some pungent arguments against the physico-chemical theories of the origin of the genetic code and corroborating the coevolution theory. (7th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Di Giulio, Massimo
• Is Part Of: Journal of theoretical biology. Volume 414(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 4
• Publication Date: 2017-02-07
• Subjects: Coevolution theory of genetic code origin -- Physico-chemical theories of genetic code origin -- Genetic code theory falsification test; Biology -- Periodicals; Biological Science Disciplines -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biologie -- Périodiques; Theoretische biologie; Biology; Periodicals; 571.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2016.11.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-5193

Abstract

Abstract: Whereas it is extremely easy to prove that "if the biosynthetic relationships between amino acids were fundamental in the structuring of the genetic code, then their physico-chemical properties might also be revealed in the genetic code table"; it is, on the contrary, impossible to prove that "if the physico-chemical properties of amino acids were fundamental in the structuring of the genetic code, then the presence of the biosynthetic relationships between amino acids should not be revealed in the genetic code". And, given that in the genetic code table are mirrored both the biosynthetic relationships between amino acids and their physico-chemical properties, all this would be a test that would falsify the physico-chemical theories of the origin of the genetic code. That is to say, if the physico-chemical properties of amino acids had a fundamental role in organizing the genetic code, then we would not have duly revealed the presence – in the genetic code – of the biosynthetic relationships between amino acids, and on the contrary this has been observed. Therefore, this falsifies the physico-chemical theories of genetic code origin. Whereas, the coevolution theory of the origin of the genetic code would be corroborated by this analysis, because it would be able to give a description of evolution of the genetic code more coherent with the indisputable empirical observations that link both the biosynthetic relationships of amino acids and their physico-chemical properties to the evolutionary organization of the genetic code. Highlights: A fundamental role of the biosynthetic relationships between amino acids in the origin of the genetic code might also imply the presence of the physicochemical properties in it. Whereas a fundamental role of the physicochemical properties might not imply the presence of the biosynthetic relationships in the genetic code. In the genetic code are observed both the biosynthetic relationships between amino acids and their physicochemical properties. The coevolution theory exceeds this falsification test whereas the physicochemical theories are unable to make it.