wobble

Pronunciation: wah′bĕl

Definition: In molecular biology, unorthodox pairing between the base at the 5′ end of an anticodon and the base that pairs with it (in the 3′ position of the codon); thus, the anticodon 3′-UCU-5′ may pair with 5′-AGA-3′ (normal or Watson-Crick pairing) or with 5′-AGG-3′ (wobble). Wobble pairings can occur between the unusual base hypoxanthine and adenine, uracil, or cytosine; between uracil and guanine; and between guanine and uracil, when in the 5′ position of an anticodon.

See Also: wobble base

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