Correct Protein Function Depends On Sequence and RATE Of Folding. Genes Code For BOTH!

New work hints at a reason why the genetic code is redundant!  Needs to code not only for sequence of aminos but also the RATE at which the sequence gets translated to get the right shape and right function.  Clever!  Explainer:

Reading genes with 4 possible bases 3 at a time can lead to 4x4x4 possible words, translated to 64 possible amino acids to build proteins. Yet biology uses only 20!  Presently most aminos are represented by 2 to 6 possible base combos.  Redundant!  or is it? 1/n

Protein function is dependent on shape.  We knew shape is dependent on amino acid sequence specified in genes.  But it's not like computer code, it's also physics, so shape is also dependent on RATE of building a protein.  Cells need to regulate THAT.  wait for it... 2/n

The redundancy in the genetic code allows for this.  For each amino, different codons that code for it can have a different tRNA molecule translate the code to amino.  Different versions of tRNA for each amino are made in varying amounts.  3/n

Needing a tRNA of low abundance will slow down the protein building process. By coding for a rare tRNA or abundant one the genes can also code for the RATE of translation (=building) of the protein and therefore its correct finally folded shape. 4/4

"A code within the genetic code: codon usage regulates co-translational protein folding"

https://biosignaling.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12964-020-00642-6