Tantin, D. et al
[The following is an excerpt of the Translation Network’s own Steve McLeach and Tom Murillo recapping this year’s Nirenberg Honorary 64 Codon Madness tournament, which has been pitting codons head-to-head for over 50 years]
Steve
Well, another tournament completed, and what a finish this time!
Tom
Boy you said it, Steve. So many unexpected turns, so many upsets.
Steve
Yeah, except for UUU.
Tom [chuckling]
Against Proline too! With that first-round exit the one-time champs from the beginnings of the tournament era just can’t seem to catch a hydrogen bond.
Steve
Exactly, now, tell me about the unexpected exit of Histidine.
Tom
Sailing through the wobble rounds, Histidine was looking good, but they really ran into a roadblock against that UAG amber stop codon. Everyone knew it was a trap matchup, but the expectation was that Histidine’s chemistry would be too much against UAG’s defense. What an upset. Histidine hasn’t been the same since the classic “zinc finger” lineup of 40 years ago. Don’t get me wrong, they’ve consistently had charge and catalysis on their side, but I think now it’s time for some fresh electrons.
Steve
And how about that final?
Tom
Classic battle of post-translational modifications. The diversity of Lysine against Cysteine’s redox power. So much enzymology, so many reversible modifications. Lysine was favored, but coming out of that Arginine matchup I think they were neutralized, and ultimately it came down to free energy.
Steve
There’s talk about expanding the bracket next year to include GABA and selenocysteine. What’s your view?
Tom
That’s right Steve, and I’ll tell you I like the classic 64. If you add GABA, who’s to say gamma-amino-isobutyric acid wouldn’t be next? What about the D-League amino acids? Where would it end? Honestly, I think we need more research.
Steve
Either way, can’t wait for next year!
