Protein Synthesis Flashcards
Structure of tRNA
75 bases
50% bases base paired
10% modified bases
Acceptor stem, T loop, anticodon loop, D loop, variable loop
D Loop
Interacts with the synthetase enzymes
Acceptor Stem
Site of amino acid charging by the synthetase enzymes
Always has conserved sequence: CCA
T Loop
Interacts with 5S rRNA, helps position tRNA in the ribosome
How are bacterial tRNAs synthesized?
- Multimeric: 2 or more tRNAs in a transcript, which are processed to monomeric precursors; may also be embedded in rRNA transcripts
- cleaved by RNases at 5’ and 3’ ends
- bases modified
- CCA added to 3’ end by tRNA nucleotidyl transferase (if not present already)
Processing of prokaryotic tRNA transcripts (multimers)
- 5’ end cleavage by RNase
- 3’ end cleavage by RNase
- Bases modified
- CCA added
Eukaryotic
Made as monomeric precursors
Leader sequence on 5’ end is cleaved off
There is an intron by the anticodon which masks it –> tRNA cannot be used until fully processed/modified
Removal of tRNA intron involves endonuclease cleavage and ATP-dependent ligation
Prokaryotic Ribosome
50S- 23S + 5S rRNA
30S- 16S rRNA
70S
Eukaryotic Ribosome
60S- 28S + 5.8S rRNA
40S- 18S rRNA
80S
Processing rRNA
Transcribed by Pol I- moderately repetitive sequences
Self splicing ribozymes (no need for snRNPs)
Pol II brings in 5S rRNA
Where in the cell do ribosomal subunits self assemble from rRNAs and ribosomal proteins?
Nucleolus
Wobble sequence
Base pairing between codon/anticodon in 5’ and middle codon bases must be perfect
Some flexibility in 3’ base of codon (5’ anticodon)
What does bacterial protein synthesis require?
mRNA (read 5’ –> 3’)
Ribosomes (subunits assemble on the mRNA)
Protein factors for initiation elongation, and termination
Activated tRNAs: one or more for each amino acid
Unique tRNA for initiation (f-met-tRNA)
Which translational protein factors require GTP energy?
IF2-GTP: to bind Met-tRNA
EF-Tu-GTP: Delivery of aminoacyl tRNA to ribosomes
EF-G-GTP: Translocation factors
RF-3-GTP: Release of complete polypeptide chain
eiF2-GTP (eukaryotes): Helps bind Met-tRNA
What does it mean that tRNA are adaptor molecules?
Bind both amino acids and mRNA codons
Function of aminoacyl tRNA synthetases
Activation of amino acids prior to tRNA attachment
2 steps in Amino Acid activation
Amino acid + ATP —-> aminoacyl adenylate: synthetase + PPi
Aminoacyl adenylate: synthetase + tRNA —> aminoacyl-tRNA: synthetase + AMP
SUM: AA + ATP + tRNA —> AA-tRNA + AMP + PPi
1) both carried out by aminoacyl tRNA synthetase
2) Synthetase specific for a given amino acid (ie: alanine tRNA synthetase)
How does synthetase control accuracy?
1) Each synthetase must recognize R group on amino acid AND some part of the nucelotide sequence of the corresponding tRNA (either anticodon, specific sequence on acceptor stem, sequences somewhere else on the molecule)
2) Each synthetase has an activation site (for activation and attachment) and a hydrolytic site to correct errors
3) The aa-tRNA complex that leaves the synthetase will be used in protein synthesis with no further means of correcting errors
How many energy bonds cleaves during aa activation?
Two high energy bonds cleaved/ aa activated- protein synthesis requires energy
1) cleavage of ATP
2) subsequent hydrolysis of pyrophosphate
Initiation of protein synthesis in prokaryotes
1) Formyl group added to met. Complex of initiator tRNA bound to fmet and IF2-GTP
First Codon in Prokaryotes
AUG