Accuracy in aminoacylation is established in a second reaction, where hydrolytic editing clears a misactivated amino acid or mischarged tRNA. The presence of this proofreading (editing) activity enforces strict fidelity on the genetic code.

Much of our recent work has shown that mutations in the domain for editing result in the production of statistical polypeptides and a loss of cell viability. In order to utilize the full suite of synthetases for genetic code expansion work, the identification and understanding of editing activities in aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases is crucial. More importantly, we are pursuing the role of editing in higher eukaryotes.


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