The genetic code is a foundational concept in molecular biology, enabling the translation of genetic information into functional proteins. Understanding the genetic code and its intricacies is crucial for the synthesis of oligonucleotides, which play an essential role in genetic research, diagnostics, and therapeutic applications. The table below illustrates the relationship between nucleotides in RNA and their corresponding amino acids, which serve as the building blocks of proteins.
| T | C | A | G | |
| T | TTT Phe (F) | TCT Ser (S) | TAT Tyr (Y) | TGT Cys (C) |
| TTC " | TCC " | TAC | TGC | |
| TTA Leu (L) | TCA " | TAA Ter | TGA Ter | |
| TTG " | TCG " | TAG Ter | TGG Trp (W) | |
| C | CTT Leu (L) | CCT Pro (P) | CAT His (H) | CGT Arg (R) |
| CTC " | CCC " | CAC " | CGC " | |
| CTA " | CCA " | CAA Gln (Q) | CGA " | |
| CTG " | CCG " | CAG " | CGG " | |
| A | ATT Ile (I) | ACT Thr (T) | AAT Asn (N) | AGT Ser (S) |
| ATC " | ACC " | AAC " | AGC " | |
| ATA " | ACA " | AAA Lys (K) | AGA Arg (R) | |
| ATG Met (M) | ACG " | AAG " | AGG " | |
| G | GTT Val (V) | GCT Ala (A) | GAT Asp (D) | GGT Gly (G) |
| GTC " | GCC " | GAC " | GGC " | |
| GTA " | GCA " | GAA Glu (E) | GGA " | |
| GTG " | GCG " | GAG " | GGG " |
The genetic code consists of codons, which are sequences of three nucleotides each. The arrangement of codons within mRNA dictates which specific amino acids become part of a protein chain throughout the translation process. The universality of the genetic code across most organisms renders it essential for biotechnological processes, including oligonucleotide synthesis.
The genetic code includes 64 codons, where each one represents either one of the 20 amino acids or serves as a stop signal Ter to terminate protein synthesis. Multiple codons encode specific amino acids, illustrating the genetic code's redundancy. The genetic code redundancy serves to buffer against the impacts of DNA sequence mutations.
A genetic code table uses rows to represent the first nucleotide of codons while using columns to represent both the second and third nucleotides in the codon. At every crossing point between a table row and column, we find the codon that specifies an amino acid. The codon sequence "ATG" translates to methionine (Met), essential for starting protein synthesis with its initial incorporation into new proteins.
The table includes the following key groups of amino acids:
A. Amino Acids with Multiple Codons: Multiple codons encode the amino acids Leucine (Leu), Serine (Ser), and Arginine (Arg). Genetic stability and protein synthesis efficiency depend on this coding redundancy.
B. Start Codon: The "AUG" codon codes for methionine (Met) and functions as the start signal for protein synthesis by initiating translation.
C. Stop Codons: "TAA," "TAG," and "TGA" codons work as stop signals that terminate protein synthesis but do not encode any amino acids while guiding the translation to end at the right location.
Oligonucleotides represent synthetic nucleotide chains that replicate natural genetic sequences through their design. The knowledge of the genetic code enables researchers to create specialized oligonucleotides that can be used in various applications, such as PCR amplification as well as gene synthesis or hybridization probes.
The design of a therapeutic gene sequence requires optimization to match the genetic code for correct protein translation. Effective expression systems require the ability to predict and manipulate codon usage to enable efficient and precise protein synthesis in host organisms.
Precise oligonucleotide-based approaches in gene therapy enable genetic disorder correction through functional gene replacement due to an advanced understanding of genetic coding. Oligonucleotides serve as essential agents in RNA interference (RNAi) therapies, which achieve gene expression modulation by targeting and degrading specific mRNA sequences.
Our products and services are for research use only and cannot be used for any clinical purposes.
As a specialist in oligonucleotide therapeutics, Alfa Chemistry offers consumers a wealth of raw materials and a full range of technologies and services.
Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Copyright © 2025 Alfa Chemistry. All rights reserved.
