Translation Gene Expression (ecoli) Flashcards
What does degenerate code mean
64 codons code for 20 amino acids so more corona for 1 amino acid
What are the 3 stop codons which don’t code for a amino acid
UAA UAG UGA
Which 2 things can AUG code for
Formyl methionine (initiator trna)
Methionine
Is the code always universal?
No some exceptions eg mitochondria have different codons
Explain the structure of trna
5’ monophosphate molecule
Clover shape
D loop T loop Anticodon site Variable arm AA acceptor site
What codon is on the amino acid acceptor site usually and is it 5’ or 3’ end
CCA
It’s 3’ end meaning an OH is present
What are the 4 modified bases on the trna and name the most useful one
Ribo thymidine
Pseudo uridine
Dihydro uridine
INOSINE (most useful)
What is the process called of amino acids joining trnas
Aminoacylation of trna
Which enzyme catalyses aminoacylation
Trna synthetase
Explain the process of aminoacylation of a trna
ATP is hydrolysed into AMP + PPi
An amino acid is joined by an AMP molecule by the carboxyl group of the amino acid (COOH-P)
Forms an AMINOACYL ADENYLATE
The aminoacyl adenylate (amino acid and an AMP molecule) then reacts with the trna 3’ OH
Forms an ester bond and AMP is released
The trna now is an aminoacyl trna
Why is the ester bond formed by the amino acid and the amino acid acceptor site important
The energy of the ester bond is used to form a peptide bond
What is an amp molecule attached to the carboxyl of amino acid called
Aminoacyl adenylate
Why is there 2 classes of trna synthetases (class I and class II)
Both specific for 10 AA each
Interact with trna differently
Eg threonyl trna synthetase = for threonine
What are identity elements on trna?
Elements of the trna clover shape which is used by synthetases to identify what trna it is eg trna Alanine has a GU bp at the top
How many different trnas for amino acids are there
40
Eg leucyl trna(leu)
Why do trna synthetases need to distinguish between amino acids aswell?
Because they can be similar eg threonine and serine
Threonyl synthetase needs to distinguish
How is proof reading done to allow the right amino acids to attach to trna
There is an editing site which cleaves too small amino acids
An acylation site cleaved too large amino acids
The amino acid acceptor site will move amongst these 2 sites to stop the wrong amino acid binding
What does the editing and acylation site do on trna synthetases
Editing - cleaves small AA
Acylation - cleaved too large AA
What is the serine trna called before and after acylation
Trna ser before
Seryl trna ser (aminoacyl trna)
How are trnas specific to 1 amino acid on the mrna codon sequence
Their anticodon forms H bonds with the mrna codon eg AUG on mrna is UAC on the anticodon
This is then met trna which adds methionine