S1: Protein Synthesis and Mechanism of Action of Antibiotics Flashcards
Compare the abundance of the different RNA
rRNA = 80-85% tRNA= 10-15% mRNA= 2-5%
How are RNAs size measured?
In the past, their sized was described by their sedimentation coefficient.
Nowadays, they are measured using their nucleotides
What is the coding region in mRNA?
The central portion of mRNA that is translated into protein.
What are the mRNA sequences either side of the coding region called?
Untranslated regions (UTRs) There is a 5'-UTR and 3'-UTR
They do not code for protein
What does the 5’ UTR do?
It determines the rate at which the protein is synthesised
What does the 3’ UTR do?
It affects the stability of RNA (how long it stays in cell before degrading)
Why are the UTR important?
Together, the UTRs determine how much protein is made, the speed at which it is synthesised and the longevity of the message
How is the formation of 5’ cap and 3’polyadenylated tail different from the coding region and UTR?
They are not coded for by genes
They are formed through enzymatic processes on the primary transcript
What is the initiating codon (always) in the coding region of mRNA?
AUG (methionine)
How does tRNA attach to mRNA?
The triplet codes on mRNA (codon) are complementary to the anticodon on tRNA and they base pair. The amino acid is attached to the 3’ end of tRNA
What 3 bases does tRNA have at the 3’ end which has amino acid attached?
CCA
How many possible codons are there?
Triplet codons= 3 bases 4 possible bases 4x4x4 combinations= 64 possible codons
Why are there only 20 amino acids but 64 codons?
This represents a type of redundancy with more than one codon for the same amino acid (degenerate code)
- not all codons code for amino acids (e.g. stop codons)
Why are some codons degenerate?
It protects against the deleterious effects of mutations (increases the result of silent mutations)
What are STOP codons?
They tell the ribosome to stop translating
How does DNA support evolution?
The genetic code is used by the majority of biological organisms (with notable variations)
What are the 4 main steps in the synthesis of proteins?
- Charging tRNAs with amino acids
- Initiation of polypeptide synthesis
- Elongation of polypeptide (addition of amino acid, one at a time)
- Termination of polypeptide synthesis (release of polypeptide)
Why is the correct attachment of the amino acid to tRNA important?
This is because it’s the tRNA that recognises the codon, and if the wrong amino acid attaches then the wrong amino acid will be delievered to the ribosome.
This step is therefore crucial in getting the right protein
What enzyme attaches the amino acid to tRNA?
Aminoacyl tRNA synthase
How does Aminoacyl tRNA synthase attach amino acid to tRNA?
It uses ATP to attach the amino acid to 3’ end of the tRNA.
1 ATP per amino acid