7.3 Translation Flashcards
(89 cards)
Diagram of the genetic code
When does translation start?
-When mature mRNA binds to a small ribosomal subunit at the mRNA binding site.
-All mRNA have an initiation (start) codon: AUG, which can be linked to the initiator tRNA.
-This specific tRNA always carries methionine.
-Thus, all proteins start with this amino acid.
How many stages are there of translation?
3
What are the three stages of translation?
-Initiation
-Elongation
-Termination
Diagram of the initiation stage of translation
Describe what happens to mRNA during initiation
-At initiation, the mRNA binds to a small ribosomal subunit.
-Next, the anticodon of the initiator tRNA binds to the codon of the mRNA.
-Finally, the large ribosomal subunit joins to complete the assembly of the translation complex.
-Now that each component is in its correct location, the process of translation can start.
What forms when a tRNA molecule binds to its corresponding amino acid?
A complex called an aminoacyl-tRNA.
Describe initiation (after each component is in its correct location)
-The space filled by the initiator tRNA is called the P site. E, P and A stand for Exit, Peptidyl-tRNA binding and Aminoacyl-tRNA binding site, respectively.
-As the name suggests, the E site is where the tRNA moves after transferring its amino acid to the growing polypeptide chain, ready to exit the ribosome.
-The A site is where the incoming tRNA with its attached amino acid binds, while the P site is where tRNA from the A site moves after its amino acid forms a peptide bond with the growing polypeptide chain.
-Therefore the P site is where the tRNA holding the growing polypeptide chain is found.
What should you know about the three tRNA binding states on a ribosome?
-The names of the three
-Their corresponding roles
Diagram of elongation stage of translation
Elongation involves a ___
Repeated cycle of events
Step 1 of elongation
-A new aminoacyl-tRNA comes in and binds to the A site ( step 1 ).
-This aminoacyl-tRNA carries a specific amino acid that matches the codon on the mRNA and the anticodon of the tRNA.
Step 2 of elongation
In step 2, the new amino acid is joined to the existing polypeptide chain by a peptide bond.
Step 3 of elongation
In step 3, the tRNA that was bound to the polypeptide chain is now ready to be recycled as it is no longer bound to an amino acid.
Step 4 of elongation
-In step 4, the ribosome translocates (moves) the tRNA holding the growing amino acid chain from the A site to the P site.
-This shifts the ‘empty’ tRNA to the E site, where it can leave the ribosome and be recycled.
-Now the whole process can start again until the ribosome reaches the termination codons: UAG, UAA, or UGA.
Do you need to know the base sequence of the start of stop codons?
No
Diagram of termination stage of translation
Describe termination
-Once the termination codon is reached, a release factor binds in the A site and causes the disassembly of the components of the translation complex.
-All of these components can be reused for another translation complex.
-This stage of translation is called termination.
A particular triplet of bases in a gene (DNA) reads 5’ AAA 3’.
The anticodon on the tRNA that binds to the mRNA codon is ___
UUU
AAA is the 5’ to 3’ sequence on the DNA, meaning that the mRNA reads: AAA (remember the 3’ to 5’ strand is the template for transcription which reads TTT so the mRNA that is transcribed reads AAA). A always pairs with U (in RNA).
What is the first event to take place in translation in eukaryotes?
The small subunit of the ribosome recognises and attaches to the initiator codon of mRNA.
What is the A site of the ribosome?
The site where a tRNA attached to an amino acid enters the ribosome.
During which stage of translation does a release factor bind to the ribosome?
Termination
Describe the structure of ribosomes
-Ribosomes are very complex structures, consisting of proteins and ribosomal RNA molecules.
-Ribosomes have a small and a large subunit, with three binding sites for tRNA molecules.
-The specific names and function of the three sites should be known.
Describe the structure of tRNA
-tRNA is a single-stranded RNA molecule that folds on itself to form a cloverleaf-shaped structure with double-stranded regions and three hairpin loops.
-One of these loops contains a sequence called the anticodon, which can decode and bind to an mRNA codon.