| Abstract
| - Short messenger RNAs (mRNAs) with hexitol residues in two codons were constructed andtheir properties were studied in an Escherichia coli in vitro translation system. The replacement of thenatural ribonucleotides of mRNA in the AUG start codon and the UUC second codon by hexitol nucleotidesdid not influence the main steps of translation, as indicated by the same level of binding of mRNA withor without hexitol residues under P-site conditions, and the same yield of tRNA binding to the P- andA-sites. Moreover, both peptide formation and translocation took place on mRNAs with hexitol residues.The presence of an A-type messenger hexitol nucleic acid (mHNA)−transfer RNA (tRNA) duplex isimportant for efficient translation and the 2‘-OH function in mRNA is not necessary for binding andmovement through the ribosome. Groove shape recognition of the codon−anticodon complex, more thanhydrogen-bond interactions of ribose residues in mRNA, is an important factor for correct translation.
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