Translation in Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes

Flashcards covering key terminology and concepts from the lecture on translation processes in eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

Eukaryotic Initiation Site

A 10 nucleotide sequence that includes an AUG codon, crucial for the beginning of translation.

Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES)

A eukaryotic mRNA sequence that allows ribosomes to initiate translation without moving from the 5’ end.

Initiation Factors

Proteins required for various stages of translation initiation in eukaryotes.

eIF2

Eukaryotic initiation factor that binds to initiator Met-tRNA and GTP to form a complex for ribosome assembly.

Elongation Factor (EF-Tu)

A monomeric G protein that binds aminoacyl tRNA and brings it to the ribosome during translation elongation.

Peptidyl Transferase Activity

The enzymatic function provided by rRNA in the ribosome that catalyzes peptide bond formation.

Translocation

The process of moving the ribosome along mRNA, shifting tRNAs between the P, A, and E sites.

Stop Codons

Nucleotide triplets (UAA, UAG, UGA) that signal the termination of translation.

Release Factors (RF)

Proteins that recognize stop codons and facilitate the termination of translation.

Codon Usage Bias

The phenomenon where certain codons are used more frequently than others, influencing translation efficiency.

Monocistronic mRNA

mRNA that encodes a single protein.

Polycistronic mRNA

Bacterial mRNA that can encode multiple proteins from different cistrons.

Translation Regulation

Mechanisms that control the efficiency and occurrence of translation, including UTR sequences and tRNA availability.

Nascent RNA

A ribonucleotide chain that is actively being synthesized and associated with ribosomes.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

A type of RNA that is a structural and functional component of ribosomes.

Translation Accuracy

The high fidelity of translation process to minimize errors in amino acid incorporation.