Statistical signals indicate a dependence between amino acid backbone conformation and the translated synonymous codon

2026/04/06 by Aviv A. Rosenberg, Ailie Marx, Alex M Bronstein · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Immunology and Microbiology · #Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities #Machine Learning in Bioinformatics #RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms

paper · pdf · doi:10.64898/2026.04.02.712692

openalex publication_date 2026/04/06 · openalex created_date 2026/04/07 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22

Abstract

Abstract Synonymous codons encode the same amino acid but can differ in their usage and translational properties. In previous work we reported statistical differences in backbone dihedral angle distributions associated with synonymous codons in the Escherichia coli proteome. This finding has been questioned due to concerns regarding the statistical methodology used. Here we revisit the dataset using corrected statistical procedures and alternative statistical tests. Across multiple frameworks, the real dataset consistently shows an excess of small p-values relative to randomized controls, indicating detectable codon-associated differences in backbone conformation.

Discussions

• A new bioRxiv preprint by ISTA Professor Alex Bronstein and colleagues explores how statistical signals indicate a dependence between amino acid backbone conformation and the translated synonymous cod [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]

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