Accuracy in Molecular Processes

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiv

   PDF

2. An introduction to the problem of accuracy

   • D. J. Galas, T. B. L. Kirkwood, R. F. Rosenberger

   Pages 1-16

3. Errors and the integrity of genetic information transfer

   • R. F. Rosenberger, T. B. L. Kirkwood

   Pages 17-35

4. The specificity of enzyme—substrate interactions

   • M. I. Page

   Pages 37-66

5. The charging of tRNA

   • A. R. Fersht

   Pages 67-82

6. The accuracy of mRNA—tRNA recognition

   • R. H. Buckingham, H. Grosjean

   Pages 83-126

7. The secret life of the ribosome

   • C. G. Kurland, J. A. Gallant

   Pages 127-157

8. The accuracy of RNA synthesis

   • R. P. Anderson, J. R. Menninger

   Pages 159-189

9. DNA replication fidelity and base mispairing mutagenesis

   • M. F. Goodman, E. W. Branscomb

   Pages 191-232

10. Stability and change through DNA repair

    • S. G. Sedgwick

    Pages 233-289

11. Kinetic and probabilistic thinking in accuracy

    • J. Ninio

    Pages 291-328

12. Kinetic costs of accuracy in translation

    • M. Ehrenberg, C. G. Kurland, C. Blomberg

    Pages 329-361

13. Selection for optimal accuracy and the evolution of ageing

    • T. B. L. Kirkwood, R. Holliday

    Pages 363-379

14. Diversity and accuracy in molecular evolution: sketches past, present and future

    • J. Ninio

    Pages 381-391

15. Back Matter

    Pages 393-398

    PDF

Molecular biology proceeds at unremitting pace to unfold new secrets of the living world. Biology, long regarded as an inexact companion to physics and chemistry, has undergone transformation. Now, chemical and physical principles are tools in understanding highly complex biomolecular processes, whose origin lies in a history of chance, constraint and natural selection. The accuracy of these processes, often remarkably high, is crucial to their self­ perpetuation, both individually and collectively, as ingredients of the organism as a whole. In this book are presented thirteen chapters which deal with various facets of the accuracy problem. Subjects covered include: the specificity of enzymes; the fidelity of synthesis of proteins; the replication and repair of DNA: general schemes for the enhancement of biological accuracy; selection for an optimal balance between the costs and benefits of accuracy; and the possible relevance of molecular mistakes to the process of ageing. The viewpoints are distinct, yet complementary, and the book as a whole offers to researchers and students the first comprehensive account of this growing field.

• DNA
• DNA repair
• RNA
• Termination
• biology
• chemistry
• enzymes
• evolution
• molecular biology
• molecular evolution
• molecular mechanisms
• protein
• tRNA
• transcription
• translation

• National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK

  T. B. L. Kirkwood, R. F. Rosenberger

• University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA

  D. J. Galas

Policies and ethics