Protein Synthesis
Protein Synthesis
Protein Synthesis
How we get the directions about how to make proteins from DNA
Bring them to the ribosome so that the ribosome can join amino acids in a specific order to synthesize a protein
Two steps
transcription- nucleus (from DNA to mRNA). The green strand is the mRNA in the DNA
Translation - cytoplasm (mRNA to tRNA, which carries amino acids, connected by polypeptide bonds, which makes
protein
1. Nucleus
Prokaryotes
No nucleus
Eukaryotes
Yes nucleus
Transcription in nuclues
Translation in cytoplasm
Transcription
- copying the code from DNA into RNA
RNA
Single-stranded
The enzyme RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA by reading one strand of the DNA and follows base pairing rules to build
mRNA
The enzyme RNA polymerase only unwinds the DNA where transcription occurs This is called the transcription bubble
The mRNA is synthesized in the 5’ to 3’ direction; therefore, the strand of DNA that runs in the 3’ to 5’ is the template
strand. The template strand is the DNA strand that is copied into the mRNA
As mRNA is synthesized, RNA polymerase continues down the DNA. As it moves, the double helix winds back up, and
the mRNA begins to trail off of the DNA.
Once the gene has been transcribed, the single-stranded mRNA carries the directions on how to build a protein into a
ribosome. (In eukaryotes, the mRNA will be edited 1st)
Template strand - transcribed DNA strand also referred to as the noncoding strand, minus strand, or antisense strand
3’ to 5’
TATA
In eukaryotes, proteins called Transcription Factors attach to the promoter sequence turning on or off transcription.
(in our example, transcription is turned on, and the gene is expressed)
Every promoter has a TATA box which is a recognition site for transcription factors.
In eukaryotes, there is an extra step called “RNA Processing.” where we edit the RNA before it reaches a ribosome.
RNA Processing 3 things
1. A modified quinine is added as a 5’ cap (Added to help protect mRNA from hydrolytic enzymes in the cytoplasm)
3. A poly-A-tail is added (Added to help protect mRNA from hydrolytic enzymes in the cytoplasm)
Once finished, this is called “Mature mRNA,” which can now leave the nucleus
Splicing enzymes
snRNPSs are used to splice out introns. They recognize splice sequences to cut
protein
Ribosomes will read the mRNA in groups of three. Three nucleotides are called a codon. Each codon codes for one amino
acid
AUG
Translation
Starts with start codon AUG, then another three letters, and brings tRNA and that particular amino acid
tRNA slides away, and amino acids connected by polypeptide chain keep going till reach the stop codon
tRNA brings another set of 3 anti codons that connect to the codons carrying that amino acid
Translation in PROKARYOTES
As soon as mRNA is produced, ribosomes can attach and begin translating mRNA code into amino acids
1. nuclues
2. Rough E.R.
3. Bound ribosome
4. Transport vesicle
5. Golgi apparatus
6. Cell membrane
● Transcription occurs in the nucleus; therefore, DNA and RNA can be found there.
● After RNA processing, mature mRNA leaves the nucleus through a nuclear pore and attaches to a bound ribosome on
the rough ER
● The protein is then carried to the cell membrane where it is exported from the cell by exocytosis