Initiation - Prokaryotic

Question 1

Step 1 - What is the shine delgarno sequence?

Answer 1

This is a sequence just prior to the initiation codon when recognised allows the recruits the ribosome to bind to the mRNA.

Question 2

Step 2

Answer 2

fMet binds tRNA to initiate protein synthesis and it is the only Met that can initiate protein synthesis whereas normal tRNA-Met is just incorporated into the growing chain

Question 3

Step 3

Answer 3

fMet -tRNA^fMet binds and recognises the initiation codon.

Question 4

What enzyme makes fMet and how?

Answer 4

A transformylase removed the formyl group from formyltetrahydrofolate and add it to Met on Met-tRNA^fMet.

Question 5

Where do all other tRNAs and normal Met-tRNA^Met bind in the ribosome?

Answer 5

All the other normal tRNAs bind the A site.