Protein Synthesis

Comparing DNA and RNA

DNA
- stores genetic information
- double-stranded helix molecule
- five-carbon deoxyribose sugar
- phosphate group
- nitrogenous bases:
 Purine – Guanine, Adenine
 Pyrimidine – Cytosine, Thymine
- found in the nucleus; a small amount is present in the mitochondria
RNA
- converts information stored in DNA to proteins
- single-stranded molecule
- five-carbon ribose sugar
- phosphate group
- nitrogenous bases:
 Purine – Guanine, Adenine
 Pyrimidine – Cytosine, Uracil
- forms in the nucleolus: moves to the cytoplasm depending on the type.
- DNA and RNA are strings of nucleotides that are composed of phosphate groups, sugars, and
nitrogenous bases. There are two kinds of nitrogen containing-bases: Purines and Pyrimidines.
 Purines – Adenine and Guanine are both present in DNA and RNA; has a two-ring
structure.

 Pyrimidine – in DNA, Cytosine, and Thymine; in RNA, Cytosine, and Uracil; has only one
ring.

Types of RNA involved in Protein Synthesis

 mRNA (Messenger RNA) – carries information from the DNA in the nucleus to the site of
protein synthesis.
 tRNA (Transfer RNA) – supplies the amino acids to the ribosome to form proteins.
 rRNA (Ribosomal RNA) – binds mRNA and various molecules necessary for protein
synthesis.

 Protein – the most important molecule in the cell; enzymes, antibodies, and hormones.
 Amino Acids – the building blocks of proteins; linked together by peptide bonds, forming
a long chain of proteins.
- there are 20 amino acids that are classified based on their popularities and change. Every
amino acid is also coded by DNA in a trinucleotide sequence or in groups of three bases
which is referred to as codon.
Amino Acid Chart
 Start codon – AUG
 Stop codon – UAA, UAG, UGA

 Protein Synthesis – the process of making proteins; involves transcription and

translation, these two processes are summed up by the central dogma of molecular
biology:

Steps in Protein Synthesis

1. Transcription – involves the transfer of genetic information in DNA to mRNA which
happens inside the nucleus; takes place in three steps: initiation, elongation, and
termination.
a. Initiation – the enzyme RNA polymerase binds to a region of a gene called promote. After
this, the DNA unwinds so that the enzyme can read the bases of the DNA strand.

b. Elongation – the addition of nucleotides to the mRNA.

 c. Termination – the ending of transcription and the mRNA detaches to the DNA.

Processing of mRNA
- after the termination stage, the new mRNA is not yet ready for translation, it must undergo
more processes before it leaves the nucleus.
a. Splicing – the removal of introns in the mRNA.
 Introns – non-coding regions
 Exons – coding regions
b. Editing – modification or change of some of the nucleotides in mRNA.
c. Polyadenylation – adds a tail to the mRNA; the tail consists of a string of adenine bases
and it signals the end of mRNA, also being involved in exporting mRNA from the nucleus
and protecting the mRNA from enzymes that might break it down.
2. Translation – the process in which the genetic code in mRNA is read to make a protein.
- after mRNA leaves the nucleus, it moves to a ribosome, which consists of rRNA and proteins.
The ribosome reads the sequence of codons in mRNA, and molecules of tRNA bring amino
acids to the ribosome in the correct sequence.
- in order to start the translation process, the following molecules are required: mRNA
template, ribosomes, tRNA, and various enzymatic factors.
- just like transcription, this process takes place in three steps: initiation, elongation, and
termination.
a. Initiation – transitional complex forms and tRNA brings the first amino acid (Methionine)
in a polypeptide chain to bind to start codon on mRNA.

b. Elongation – tRNAs bring amino acids one by one to add to the polypeptide chain.
 c. Termination – this happens when a stop codon in the mRNA (UAA, UAG, or UGA) enters
the A site.

Genetics
- gives each one of us a unique set of traits.
- allows us to trace familial affinity.
Law Enforcement
- can provide forensic evidence.
Agriculture
- can integrate helpful traits in crop species via genetic engineering.

- during the transcription, the RNA polymerase enzyme binds with and opens the DNA
molecule that will be transcribed.
- as the DNA molecule opens, it slides along the DNA strand and links free RNA nucleotides
that pair with the nitrogenous bases of the complementary DNA strand.
- when the process of base-pairing is completed, the messenger RNA molecule breaks away as
the DNA strands rejoin and leave the nucleus and go to the cytoplasm.
- as translation begins, mRNA binds to a ribosome. Then, transfer RNA molecules, each
carrying a specific amino acid approach the ribosome.
- the tRNA anticodon pairs with the first mRNA (start) codon to form the initiation complex.
Usually, the first codon on mRNA is AUG, which codes for the amino acid Methionine.
- the codon AUG signals the start of protein synthesis. Then, the ribosome slides along the
mRNA to the next codon, and a new tRNA molecule carrying an amino acid, pairs with the
second mRNA codon.
- as tRNAs continue to bring amino acids one by one, a chain of amino acids called polypeptide
is formed until the ribosome reaches a stop codon on the mRNA strand. The chain of amino
acids is released.