L12: Translation Flashcards
(55 cards)
define translation
the order of nucleotides in messenger RNA (mRNA) is converted into the linear sequence of amino acids in a protein
what is messenger RNA (mRNA)
information contained in the open-reading frame (ORF)
mRNA - what is the open reading frame (ORF)
a contiguous, non-overlapping string of codons that specifies protein sequence
Open reading frame (ORF) - what are the start and stop codons
- Start codons: AUG
- stop codons: UAA, UAG, UGA
what is transfer RNA (tRNA)
- an adapter molecule between codons and amino acids
- 3’ terminus has a 5’-CCA-3’ sequence that binds cognate amino acids
- developed by Crick’s Adaptor Hypothesis
tRNA secondary structure
- resembles a clover leaf:
1. acceptor stem
2. anticodon loop
tRNA secondary structure - acceptor steam
attachment site for amino acid
tRNA secondary structure - anticodon loop
contains anticodon which base pairs with the codon
tRNA tertiary structure
- “L” shape
- is called aminoacyl-tRNA when the RNA is “charged”
tRNA tertiary structure - “charging” of tRNAs
- amino acid is attached to 3’ terminal A nucleotide of tRNA
- the linkage is a high energy bond between tRNA and amino acid - yields energy when cleaved
tRNA tertiary structure: “charging” of tRNAs - aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase
- enzyme that charges tRNA
- each amino acid has one dedicated aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase
what are ribosomes
- it is what makes the polypeptide sequence from mRNA
- its is comprised of both proteins and RNA
- consists of 2 subunits:
1. large subunit
2. small subunit
ribosomes - why is it important for eukaryotes to separate transcription and translation
RNA processing and splicing needs to occur after transcription
what are ribosomes - large subunit
contains peptidyl transferase center that forms peptide bonds between amino acids
ribosomes: large subunit - how is the peptide bond created
- dehydration reaction - water is kicked out
- bond is formed between the carboxyl and amino group
ribosomes - small subunit
contains decoding center where mRNA codons are read by charged tRNAs
ribosomes - eukaryotes vs prokaryotes
- prokaryotes are smaller and eukaryotes are larger
- but there are individual ribosomes with differing sizes
rRNA processing
- rRNA begins as a single transcript (pre-rRNA) that is cleaved
- done so cleaved parts can be incorporated into the ribosome
explain the ribosome cycle
- ribosome subunits assemble on RNA
- mRNA is translated into a polypeptide
- ribosome dissociates
ribosome cycle - what is a polysome
- each mRNA can be translated by more than one ribosome simultaneously
- so a transcript can have many ribosomes on it
what direction is a polypeptide synthesized in?
- amino-to carboxy direction
- each new amino acid is added to the carboxyl terminus of a growing polypeptide chain
explain peptide bond formation
- called a peptidyl transferase reaction
- involves:
1. peptidyl-tRNA
2. aminoacyl-tRNA
peptide bond formation - peptidyl-tRNA
- attached to a growing polypeptide chain
- the one already in ribosome
peptide bond formation - aminoacyl-tRNA
- the incoming charged tRNA
- the high energy bond is not broken during the formation of the new peptide bond