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. 2023 Feb 6;51(4):1528–1570. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkad007

Table 4.

Experimentally validated positive identity elements that are almost strictly conserved in all three domains of life including organellar tRNAs and viral TLSsa

tRNA families tRNA domains
Acceptor branch Core region Anticodon branch
Cys U73 G34, C35, A36
Ile A35
Leu A 73 largeVR
Met A73
Val A73b A35b
Trp C34, C35, A36
Tyr A73b G34, U35
Ala G U 70
Gly G3–C70 C 35, C36
Pro G35, G36
Thr G1–C72 G34, U36
Phe A 73 G 34, A35, A36

Of the 20 tRNA families designated by their amino acid identity, eight do not contain conserved determinants (Arg, Gln, Glu, His, Ser, Asp, Asn, Lys). The position of the determinants in the sequence of the tRNA acceptor branch, the core region and the anticodon branch is shown with standard numbering. aRare exceptions can be found at certain positions such as G3·U70 in organellar tRNAsAla, or G34 in eukaryal tRNAsThr; bdeterminants in TLSs. ‘…’ no data available. VR, variable region.