Several aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases of higher eukaryotes have always been found as multienzyme complexes. There are indications that these complexes can be associated with some tRNA-modifying enzymes. The function of such complexes is unclear. I have noticed that 6 out of 7 aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases most commonly occurring in complexes correspond to a group of tRNAs which must always contain a modified U in the first position of their anticodons. A hypothesis is proposed according to which association of 6 aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases with U-modifying enzymes can protect a cell from miscoding.
