The "universal" leucine codon CTG in the secreted aspartyl proteinase 1 (SAP1) gene of Candida albicans encodes a serine in vivo

Abstract

A number of Candida species possess a tRNA(Ser)-like species that recognizes CTG codons that normally specify leucine (Leu) in the universal code of codon usage. Mass spectrometry and Edman sequencing of peptides from the secreted aspartyl proteinase isoenzyme (Sap1) demonstrate that positions specified by the CTG codon contain a nonmodified serine (Ser) in Candida albicans.