Biopolymers and cell. 1990. Volume 6. № 4. 5 - 20

V. A. Kordyum

SELF-REPRODUCING PROTEINS, 'SOME CONSEQUENCES AND PREDICTIONS

Summary

    The possible results of mutation identification in gene encoding protein, human priori pre¬cursor, under Gerstmann-Straussler syndrome are analyzed. The whole succession of events leading to appearance and following self-reproduction (just regardless of muta¬tion gene now) of prions, a specific class of infectious proteins, has been formed up. The supposition that reproduction of alternative spatial structure underlies self-reproduc¬tion of infectious proteins whose existence was firstly predicted in 1969 by the author of this article, is stated and substantiated on the basis of existing information. It permits speaking about special form of protein code in the form of spatial structure enswing its self-reproduction in the same or similar spatial structure. Thus, in addition to the well-known form of genetic code as primary sequence of nucleic acids, the notion on the second form of biological information, i. e. spatial pro¬teins structure able to self-reproduce, is introduced. A wide spreading of the second forms of biological code as a basis of vital activity in the cells is stated.