Translation Flashcards
Translation
mRNA directed polypeptide synthesis
Ribosome
Structure made of proteins (~50) and rRNA (3-5) which catalyzes peptide bond formation
–> The actual place/machine where translation occurs
tRNA
Transfer RNA –> The “translator”
–> “Adapter” molecules which LINK info in mRNA codons with specific amino acids
tRNA Synthetases
20 of them
–> Enzymes that recognize specific tRNAs and amino acids and causes the attachment of AAs to tRNAs
Molecular components needed for translation: (4)
1) Ribosome
2) tRNA
3) tRNA synthetases
4) At least 9 soluble accessory proteins
What is the role of accessory proteins in translation?
Have functions in regulating steps of translation (initiation, elongation, and termination)
Translation uses…
But cells are willing to do it because…
1) more energy than any other biosynthetic pathway
2) It is so fundamental to life
tRNA structure
CLOVERLEAF Structure
–> This is a 3D structure that is highly structured
How long are tRNAs roughly?
typically ~80 nucleotides long
How does intra-molecular base pairing impact tRNA structure?
Causes the molecule to fold in on itself producing its characteristic loops and stems
–> Creates a 3D structure
What causes the specific structure of tRNA?
INTRA-molecular base pairing (the RNA base pairs with ITSELF)
“free”/exposed sections of the tRNA molecule:
1) Amino acid attachment site (3’ End of the tRNA)
2) Anti-codon region
What does “free” or “exposed”-regions mean in terms of tRNA?
Sections of tRNA not involved in intra-molecular base pairing therefore leaving the nucleotides “free” and exposed (able to interact with other things)
Protruding 3’ End of tRNA sequence =
CCA (5’ –> 3’)
What is the amino acid attachment site?
Where an amino acid is covalently attached to a tRNA
–> This site is located on the free 3’ end of a tRNA molecule
Anti-Codon
A particular nucleotide triplet on a tRNA that base pairs to a specific mRNA codon
Anticodons are written…
Because…
3’ to 5’
–> To more easily show the anti-parallel pairing of codon and anti-codon
Functions of tRNA structure (3)
1) “fit” in the ribosome
2) Interaction with correct codon
3) Correct amino acid attachment
tRNAs are NOT _____________
–> They differ in:
NOT identical
Differ in:
1) Each has a specific covalently attached amino acid
2) Each has a unique anticodon
Each tRNA is continuously….
recycled
–> a tRNA gained a designated amino acid in the cytosol where it then deposits the amino acid at the ribosome
–> Once deposited, it returns to the cytosol to pick up another amino acid (recycling itself)
TWO recognition events must occur for proper translation (as a whole):
1) tRNA anticodon must pair to correct mRNA codon
2) tRNA must carry the correct amino acid
Pairing of tRNA and amino acid is mediated by:
An enzyme –> Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase
A family of enzymes which catalyze the attachment of an amino acid to the 3’ end of the tRNA
Active site of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase
Active site of these enzymes fit only a specific combo of AA and tRNA
recognition of specific tRNA by tRNA-synthetase
Occurs through recognition of specific residues in the anti-codon and amino-acid accepting arm/site
– >Allows correct tRNA to be recognized by the enzyme
If the wrong amino acid is connected to a tRNA…
Translation WILL NOT STOP
–> Translation will continue on and just produce an incorrect protein
Why is correct recognition of tRNA by tRNA synthetases especially important?
Because there is NO proofreading mechanisms for attaching AAs to tRNAs
Raney Nickel Experiment proved…
tRNA is the adapter molecule between protein and mRNA
Raney Nickel Experiment: Methodology
1) Purified a tRNA with cysteine anti-codon and cysteine AA attached (tRNA-cys)
2) Incubated tRNA-cys with RANEY NICKEL
3) Raney nickel converted the AA on tRNA-cys to ALANINE
–> Produced tRNA with cysteine anti-codon BUT ALANINE AA (anticodon and AA didn’t match): “ala-tRNA-cys”
4) Inserted this ala-tRNA-cys into an in-vitro hemoglobin synthesis system
5) Analyzed hemoglobin product
Raney Nickel Experiment: Results
Hemoglobin protein produced had ALANINE at every position normally occupied by cysteine