Translation (Protein Synthesis)

RNA  protein
 Making a protein
• Many RNAs needed
– mRNA,
– tRNA,
– rRNA
 Messenger RNA (mRNA)
• Carries coded instructions for protein
synthesis (translation)
– From the DNA in the nucleus to the ribosome
 The genetic code
• Codons
– instructions for making a
protein, a series of three nucleotides
on the mRNA
– Each codon signifies
start, stop,
The genetic code
 Transfer RNA (tRNA)
• Brings amino acids to the ribosome
so it can build proteins
• It has Anticodons
– 3 nucleotide sequence
complementary to the
mRNA codon
 Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
• Makes up ribosomes
 Making a protein
Translation begins when mRNA with start codon
AUG binds to the ribosome. The initial transfer
RNA occupies the P site on the ribosome.
Subsequent transfer RNAs with bound amino
acids, first enter the ribosome at A site. mRNA
signals beginning of protein
 Making a protein
• The complementary matching of three
nucleotides on transfer RNA called the
Anticodon, and three nucleotides on the
messenger RNA called the codon,
ensures the correct sequence of amino
acids.
 Making a protein
• The messenger RNA passes along the
ribosome in short rapid of 3 nucleotides at
a time.
• At this occurs, the initial RNA is moved to
the E site and its amino acid is transferred
to the second amino acid at the P site. At
the same time, a new codon is presented
at the A site
• The initiating transfer RNA, which now no
longer carries an amino acid, leaves the E
site and next transfer RNA, which
complementary anticodon, enters the A
site.
• Each time a new codon sequence moves
into the A site. A new transfer RNA bring
in an amino acid.
• The old transfer RNA paired with the
previous codon is passed to the P site
and then to the E site as the amino acid it
carried is transferred to the growing amino
acid chain
• As the ribosome proceeds down the
messenger complex falls apart and the
protein is released into the cell.