T RNA

T RNA :
● T RNA also known as s RNA ( soluble RNA or
supernatant RNA ) and adapter RNA
● tRNA is a family of 60 small sized ribonucleic acids.
● 10 to 15% of total RNA consists of tRNA
● Molecular weight : 25,000 to 30,000 Dalton
● They are made up of single stranded nucleotide
chain.
Functions of T RNA
● Help in the recognition of Aminoacyl tRNA synthetase
enzyme .
● Picks up the specific amino acid from cytoplasm and
carries to site of protein synthesis
● Attaches itself to ribosome in accordance with
sequence specified by mRNA
● Trnasmits mRNA to polypeptide chain.
Structure of tRNA
● Primary structure : linear sequence of
nucleotides
● Secondary structure : Clover leaf model
● Tertiary structure : 3D structure of tRNA , L
shape , Helix stacking
Primary structure
● Linear sequence of nucleotides is 60 to 70 long but
most commonly consists of 76
● Many modified bases sometimes accounting for 20% of
total bases in any one tRNA molecule
● All of them are created post transcriptionally.
Secondary structure
● Robert Holley proposed the clover leaf model for the first time
● It is a 2 dimensional description about tRNA
Secondary structure explanation:
At the 3' end of the tRNA molecule, opposite the anticodon, extends a three
nucleotide acceptor site that includes a free -OH group.

A specific tRNA binds to a specific amino acid through its acceptor stem. The
cloverleaf structure shown above is actually a two dimensional simplification of the
actual tRNA structure.
Tertiary structure
L shaped structure :

● Acceptor stem and Si U stem from extended left.

● Anticodon stem and D loop stem from extended helix
● D loop and T loop align together.
● Both extended helices align at right angle
Stability of L structure

Tertiary structure of tRNA is produced by hydrogen bonding

- Between N bases
- Between N bases and ribose phosphate backbone
- Between ribose phosphate backbone
Amino acyl trna synthetases
● Catalyses the esterification of a specific amino acid .
● The accuracy of protein translation depends on
fidelity with which the correct amino acids are
esterified to their cognate tRNA molecules by amino
acyl trna synthetases
● This enzyme catalyzes the union of amino acid and
trna .
Thank you