Re: What is the physical basis behind the A/G mixed signal from RNA editing?

Kristina,

I am a bit perplexed as to what your question is exactly, as you seem to spell out the basic facts for A/G mixed signal (i.e., A-to-I RNA editing) well. The enzyme adenosine deaminase catalyzes the site specific deamination of the pre-mRNA, producing an inosine at that point. When the processed mRNA is translated on the ribosome, this inosine residue behaves like a G rather than an A in binding a charged tRNA. As a consequence, a different amino acid will be incorporated at this point of the growing polypeptide chain if an A to G� transversion in the codon changes its meaning.

Here are two references that might be of interest:
Maas S, Rich A, Nishikura K. (2003) A-to-I RNA editing: recent news and residual mysteries. J. Biol. Chem. 278 (3), 1391-1394.
Seeburg PH, Higuchi M, Sprengel R. (1998) RNA editing of brain glutamate receptor channels: mechanism and physiology. Brain Research Reviews 26, 217-229.