What is Step 1 of Protein Synthesis?

The first stage of transcription involves the transfer of genetic information from DNA into
mRNA. The purpose of this stage is to take the information stored in the DNA strand
and copy it so that it can be used to create a particular protein molecule. During the
phase of transcription, a strand of mRNA is synthesized to complement a specific
segment of DNA. This happens in three steps.

First is the step of initiation, which represents the beginning of the transcription process.
Here, the enzyme RNA polymerase locates and binds to an area of the gene known are
the ‘promoter’. Once the binding has occurred, this signals the DNA strands to begin
unwinding, allowing the enzyme RNA polymerase to read the bases of one of its
strands. Once complete, the enzyme RNA polymerase can then synthesize a strand of
mRNA composed of the same sequence bases.

Next, the step of elongation begins, where nucleotides are added to the strand of
mRNA. Finally, once this step is complete, the final step of termination is initiated.
Termination is the end of transcription, where the synthesis of the mRNA strand is
completed and detaches itself from the DNA.

A guide to optimizing protein design.

In humans and other eukaryotes, the newly created strand of mRNA must be processed
before it can continue to the second step of protein synthesis, translation. Before
processing, the new mRNA is known as pre-mRNA and before leaving the nucleus as
mature mRNA must go through a final stage of processing. Often, this involves steps of
splicing, editing, and polyadenylation. During these steps, the pre-mRNA molecule is
modified, allowing one single gene to be used to create multiple proteins. Below we look
at these steps in further detail.

Splicing relies on ribonucleoproteins found in the nucleus and involves the removal of
regions go the genetic code, known as introns, from the pre-mRNA. This leaves the pre-
mRNA with only protein-coding regions, known as exons.
The second step of processing is the editing phase. This is where changes are made to
some of the pre-mRNA’s nucleotides. This editing allows for different versions of a
single protein molecule to exist, such as the human protein APOB, which has two forms
as a result of editing and works in the body to transport lipids in the blood.

The final step of processing is polyadenylation. This is where a tail of adenine bases is
added to the strand of mRNA. The addition of this ‘tail’ signals the end of mRNA and
also protects it from enzymes that may try to degrade it once it is exported from the
nucleus.

What is the 2nd Step of Protein Synthesis?

Translation is the second step of protein synthesis. Once transcription and the following
processing are complete, translation is initiated. This is where the newly created
mRNA’s genetic code is read and used to produce protein molecules. Once mRNA
leaves the nucleus it travels to a ribosome. Here, the ribosome reads the chain of
codons in the strand of mRNA, and then tRNA transports the corresponding amino
acids to the ribosome in the exact sequence.

Each molecule of tRNA has an anticodon to the specific amino acid it carries. Each
anticodon has a complementary codon for the specific amino acid. This enables tRNA
to transport the correct amino acids in the right order as coded on the strand of mRNA.
Once the tRNA arrives at the mRNA with the correct amino acid it temporarily binds to it
and gives up its amino acid which bonds to the previously added amino acid in the
polypeptide chain. This chain continues to grow until a stop codon is presented.

Summary of the Steps of Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is an essential process that happens regularly within cells. The
process is used to create new proteins that are used for various vital functions in the
body. The process involves two stages of transcription and translation, with the need for
processing in-between the two stages.

First, transcription transfers the genetic information from DNA to mRNA via initiation,
elongation, and termination. Following this, the newly created strand of mRNA leaves
the nucleus and attaches to a ribosome within the cytoplasm. This is where translation
initiates. During this stage the genetic data is read, causing tRNA to transport the
correct sequence of amino acids to the ribosome, creating a polypeptide chain. Finally,
the polypeptide chain may go through the final processing to produce the finished
protein molecule.