Genetical Implications of the Structure of Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Genetical Implications of the Structure of Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Contributor(s):
Watson, James D., 1928-
Crick, Francis, 1916-2004
Nature
Publication:
Nature Publishing Group, 30 May 1953
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Genre(s):
Archival Materials
Articles
Abstract:
Watson and Crick did not elaborate on their proposed mechanism of genetic replication in their original paper on the double helix of DNA, both in order to expedite publication and because Watson, in particular, harbored lingering fears, soon to be laid to rest, that the structure might prove incorrect. In this article, published five weeks after their original explication of the double helical structure of DNA, they clarified how the rule that governed the pairing of the bases (that adenine always bonds with thymine, and likewise guanine with cytosine) meant that the two chains of the DNA molecule were complementary, that the sequence of the bases on one chain determined the sequence on the other. When the two complementary chains of the DNA molecule unwound in the course of cell division, each formed a template for the synthesis of a second, complementary chain. The two new pairs were each a copy of the original pair, providing a mechanism for the exact duplication of the genetic material. Watson and Crick further posited that the genetic information was encoded in the seemingly random sequence of the bases, although they did not indicate how this sequence might control the synthesis of proteins, and so did not offer a full theory of genetic specificity, or take their argument substantially beyond that of their original Nature article.
Copyright:
This item may be under copyright protection; contact the copyright owner for permission before re-use.
Extent:
4 pages
NLM Unique ID:
101584582X382 (See in Profiles in Science)
Profiles in Science ID:
SCBBYX
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101584582X382
Archival Collection:
The Francis Crick Papers (Profiles in Science)