IS THERE AN ERROR-CORRECTING CODE IN THE BASE SEQUENCE IN DNA

Modern methods of encoding information into digital form include error check digits that are functions of the other information digits. When digital information is transmitted, the values of the error check dig its can be computed from the information digits to determine whether t he information has been received accurately. These error correcting co des make it possible to detect and correct common errors in transmissi on. The sequence of bases in DNA is also a digital code consisting of four symbols: A, C, G, and T. Does DNA also contain an error correctin g code? Such a code would allow repair enzymes to protect the fidelity of nonreplicating DNA and increase the accuracy of replication. If a linear block error correcting code is present in DNA then some bases w ould be a linear function of the other bases in each set of bases. We developed an efficient procedure to determine whether such an error co rrecting code is present in the base sequence. We illustrate the use o f this procedure by using it to analyze the lac operon and the gene fo r cytochrome c. These genes do not appear to contain such a simple err or correcting code.