Translation

Translation of mRNA is the biological

polymerization of amino acids into polypeptide
chains using mRNA as a template making
proteins
The sequence of amino acids in polypeptide is
determined by the sequence of ribonucleotides in
mRNA
Each trinucleotide (codon) codes for one amino
acid genetic code

Genetic Code
If the genetic code consisted of a single nucleotide or
even pairs of nucleotides per amino acid, there would not
be enough combinations (4 and 16 respectively) to doce
for all 20 amino acids.
Triplets of nucleotide bases are the smallest units of
uniform length that can code for all the amino acids.
In the triplet code, three consecutive bases specify an
amino acid, creating 4^3 (64) possible code words.
The genetic instructions for a polypeptide chain are
written in DNA as a series of three-nucleotide words.

Copyright2002PearsonEducation,Inc.,publishingasBenjaminCummings

Genetic Code
The genetic code:
Is written in linear form
Each group of three nucleotides specifies one amino acid
codon
Is unambigious one codon for one amino acid
Is degenerate - given amino acid can be specified by more than
one codon
Contains start ATG in DNA -> AUG in mRNA and stop signals
Is commaless
Is nonoverlapping
Is universal

Genetic Code
1960s - Marshall Nirenberg determined the first
match, that UUU coded for the amino acid
phenylalanine.

Amino Acids
Alanine
Arginine
Aspartic Acid
Asparagine
Cysteine
Glutamic Acid
Glutamine
Glycine
Histidine
Isoleucine
Leucine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Proline
Serine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Tyrosine
Valine

Ala
Arg
Asp
Asn
Cys
Glu
Gln
Gly
His
Ile
Leu
Lys
Met
Phe
Pro
Ser
Thr
Trp
Tyr
Val

A
R
D
N
C
E
Q
G
H
I
L
K
M
F
P
S
T
W
Y
V

Types of RNA

a.

Messenger RNA mRNA

Transfer RNA tRNA
Ribosomal RNA rRNA
mRNA carries the message that directs the
synthesis of proteins
b. tRNA carries amino acids during protein
synthesis
c. rRNA molecules are components of the
ribosomes

Types of RNA
Small nuclear RNA (snRNA) structural
components of nucleosomes
Micro RNA (miRNA) short 20-22
nucleotide single stranded, block expression
of complementary mRNAs
All five types are produced by transcription
The final products of tRNA, rRNA, snRNA
and miRNA genes are RNA molecules

Ribosomal Structure
Synthesis of polypeptides occurs on
ribosomes
Bacterial ribosome is about 250 nm
diameter and consists of two subunits, large
and small
Both subunits consist of one or more
molecules of rRNA and array of ribosomal
proteins ( approximately 50:50)

Ribosomes
Play two active roles in protein
synthesis:
Coordinate protein synthesis by placing
mRNA, aminoacyl-tRNA and associated
protein factors in their corresponding
positions
Catalyze at least some of the reactions in
translation

Figure 14-1

Copyright 2006 Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc.

rRNA Genes
E.coli: seven copies of a single sequence that
encodes all three components (23S, 16S, 5S).
Initial transcript is 30S RNA is cleaved
enzymatically into three
Drosophila: 120 copies per haploid genome, each
is transcribed into 45S mRNA, processed into 28S,
18S, and 5S RNAs
rRNA genes or rDNA represent moderately
repetitive DNA, present in clusters

rRNA Genes
Each rDNA cluster in eukaryotes consists of
tandem repeats, with each unit separated by
a non-coding spacer DNA form nucleolus
In humans, nucleoli are located on chr
13,14, 15, 21, 22.
5S rRNA in humans is not part of a larger
transcript, located separately on chr 1

Transfer RNA
Central question: how triplet codons of
mRNA direct specific amino acids into their
correct positions in the polypeptide?
_______________________was discovered

tRNA Structure
RNA molecules 75-90 nucleotides long
Transcribed as a large precursor cleaved
into 4S tRNA
Cloverleaf model of tRNA

tRNA Structure

Charging tRNA
Before translation can proceed, the tRNAs must be
chemically linked to their respective amino acids
This activation process is called charging or
aminoacylation
Is directed by aminoacyl tRNA synthetases
There are at least 32 different tRNAs due to
wobbling
High fidelity recognize only one amino acid

Translation general
Translation occurs on ribosomes with tRNAs serving as
adaptiors between the mRNA template and amino acids
Adaptor functions of tRNA:
3' end binds the amino acid
the anticodon of the tRNA recognize the codons on the mRNA

mRNA strand ready for translation is composed of leader,

reading frame, & trailer sequences
mRNA is read 5 to 3.
The codons in the mRNA specify the amino acids that are
incorporated by the tRNA into the protein being synthesized

mRNA Ready For Translation?

Translation general
The ribosome has three sites
The P (or peptidyl) site,
the A (or aminoacyl) site
the E (or exit) site.

AUG is always the first codon for translation. AUG

codes for methionine
The amino acid methionine is always the first amino
acid incorporated
Proteins are synthesized from amino terminus to
carboxyl terminus

Open Reading Frames (ORFs)

Genes that code for proteins comprise open
reading frames (ORFs) consisting of a series of
codons that specify the amino acid sequence of the
protein that the gene codes for.
The ORF begins with an initiation codon - usually
(but not always) ATG - and ends with a
termination codon: TAA, TAG or TGA

The sequence of nucleotides in mRNA can be read in three READING

FRAMES
In order to synthesize the correct protein, a ribosome "has to know" which
reading frame to use and where, on mRNA, to start translation

ORFs
Six reading frames