Protein Synthesis: Translation of the Genetic Message

Vocabulary flashcards for Protein Synthesis: Translation of the Genetic Message.

tRNA

RNA that carries amino acids for the process of translation.

mRNA

The template for protein synthesis.

Wobble

The characteristic of the genetic code allowing each codon to interact with more than one tRNA.

Filter Binding Assays

A filter binding assay using tRNAs and ribosomes, enabled complete determination of the genetic code.

1st position (5' letter)

Positions on tRNA where the wobble base of the triplet anticodon is found.

1 to 6 depending on the nature of the amino acid

Number of codons known for each amino acid.

Trp, Met

Amino acids with unique codons.

5'CUA3', 5'CUC3', 5'CUU3'

A tRNA with the anticodon sequence 3'GAI5' (I represents the base hypoxanthine) Which of the following codons can form base pairs with this anticodon

Amino Acid Activation

The process of amino acid activation involves the formation of an ester bond between the amino acid and tRNA

Activation of the amino acid by reaction with ATP

Initial step in the formation of an aminoacyl-tRNA.

Aminoacyl-adenylate

An aminoacyl-adenylate contains an acid anhydride bond.

Cytoplasm

The location where activation of amino acids always takes place.

Carboxyl group of AA linked to 3' OH of tRNA

Describes the covalent bond between an amino acid (AA) and its tRNA.

tRNA attachment

The amino acids are initially attached to either the 2' or 3' hydroxyl group of the tRNA.

Puromycin

Antibiotic that confirmed that the growing peptide chain is transferred to the amino group of the incoming tRNA

Shine-Delgarno sequence

The mRNA must contain the following to allow for initiation of protein synthesis in E. coli.

At the A site on the 50S subunit

Where an aminoacyl-tRNA is initially bound to the ribosome

translocation of the ribosome

Step is necessary for continuation of protein synthesis after peptide bond formation takes place

peptidyl transferase

Enzyme that catalyzes new peptide bonds in protein synthesis

AUG

The start codon on the mRNA for prokaryotic translation

A termination protein binds to the codon and is used to release the growing peptide from the P site tRNA. The ribosome then is likely to dissociate.

best describes what happens when a stop codon is reached by a ribosome (in the A site)?

Termination codons of mRNA, release factors and GTP

Necessary for chain termination in protein synthesis.

Polysome

A complex consisting of one mRNA to which several ribosomes are attached

Shine-Dalgarno Sequence

Sequence of nucleotides in an mRNA that interacts with the small subunit of a ribosome to begin translation

"A" site on the ribosome

The location where, during elogation, tRNA binds initially to the

"P" site on the ribosome

The location where the first tRNA (bearing fmet) binds to the

The mature, active mRNA contains introns

The final form of mRNA in eukaryotes has all these features, except

How eukaryotic ribosomes prevent false starts at inappropriate parts of the mRNA

A consensus sequence, called the Kozak sequence, surrounding the start codon in eukaryotes

Leader sequences for protein transport to specific organelles

are removed by proteases associated with the: endoplasmic reticulum

Hydroxyproline

Amino acid that proline is covalently modified to give after translation

Ubiquitin

The protein which marks proteins for degradation