Scenedesmus obliquus mitochondrial code

Mitochondrial genetic code of Scenedesmus obliquus''

Scenedesmus obliquus is a species of green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae. It is known for its unique mitochondrial genetic code, which differs from the standard genetic code used by most eukaryotes.

Mitochondrial Genetic Code

The mitochondrial genetic code of Scenedesmus obliquus is a variant of the universal genetic code. In this code, certain codons are translated into different amino acids compared to the standard code. This adaptation is thought to be a result of evolutionary pressures unique to the organism's mitochondrial environment.

Codon Usage

In the Scenedesmus obliquus mitochondrial code, the following differences are observed:

• The codon UGA, which is typically a stop codon in the universal code, codes for the amino acid tryptophan (Trp).
• The codon AUA, which usually codes for isoleucine (Ile), codes for methionine (Met) in this code.

These changes are significant as they affect the protein synthesis process within the mitochondria of Scenedesmus obliquus.

Biological Significance

The unique mitochondrial genetic code of Scenedesmus obliquus provides insights into the evolutionary biology of algae and the adaptation of mitochondrial genomes. Understanding these differences can help in studying mitochondrial diseases and bioengineering applications where mitochondrial function is crucial.

Research and Applications

Research into the mitochondrial genetic code of Scenedesmus obliquus has implications for genetic engineering and synthetic biology. By manipulating the genetic code, scientists can explore new ways to produce biofuels and other valuable biochemicals.

See also

• Mitochondrial DNA
• Genetic code
• Codon usage bias

External links

• NCBI Taxonomy Browser: Scenedesmus obliquus