UNIT 3 Chapter 6: Gene Expression Section 6.

6.3 Translation: Synthesizing

Proteins from mRNA
Translation, the second stage of gene expression, involves
translating the nucleic acid code of mRNA into the amino acid
code of a protein. Translation occurs in the cytoplasm.
The following table provides an overview of the major
components involved in translation.
UNIT 3 Chapter 6: Gene Expression Section 6.3

Transfer RNA
Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules are composed of three
stem-loops and a single-stranded region, all of which fold
into a three-dimensional shape.
Each tRNA molecule has two functional regions:
• the anticodon loop, which is a sequence of three
nucleotides that is complementary to an mRNA codon
• the acceptor stem, which is a single-stranded region
where an amino acid is attached. The aminoacyl-tRNA
synthetase enzymes attach the correct amino acid to a
tRNA. There are 20 different enzymes, one for each of
the 20 amino acids.

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UNIT 3 Chapter 6: Gene Expression Section 6.3

Transfer RNA
UNIT 3 Chapter 6: Gene Expression Section 6.3

Ribosomes
Ribosomes are cytoplasmic structures made up of proteins and
ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). The molecules involved in
translation (mRNA, tRNA, translation factors) are assembled
on ribosomes.
Each ribosome is comprised of two sub-units—one is small
and one is large. There are three binding sites for tRNA and
one binding site for mRNA. These binding sites allow
complementary base pairing between tRNA anticodons and
mRNA codons.
A complex of multiple ribosomes, called a polyribosome, can
be attached to and translate a single mRNA at the same time.

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UNIT 3 Chapter 6: Gene Expression Section 6.3

Ribosomes
UNIT 3 Chapter 6: Gene Expression Section 6.3

The Molecular Events of Translation

Translation is one of the most energy-consuming
processes in a cell because many protein and nucleic acid
components must be synthesized and assembled; again,
these processes occur during three phases:

• initiation
• elongation
• termination
UNIT 3 Chapter 6: Gene Expression Section 6.3

Initiation Phase of Translation

The components of translation (translation factors, mRNA,
tRNA, ribosomes) assemble during the initiation phase.

The small ribosomal sub-unit attaches to the mRNA near

the start codon (AUG). The initiator tRNA with the
anticodon UAC binds to the start codon. In eukaryotes, this
tRNA carries the amino acid methionine; in prokaryotes, it
carries a derivative of methionine. The large ribosomal
sub-unit attaches to form an active ribosome.

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UNIT 3 Chapter 6: Gene Expression Section 6.3

Initiation Phase of Translation

The start codon sets the

reading frame for the
gene. The reading
frame establishes how
subsequent codons in the
sequence will be read to
produce an amino acid
sequence.

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UNIT 3 Chapter 6: Gene Expression Section 6.3

Initiation Phase of Translation

There are three binding sites for tRNAs:
• The P (peptide) site of the ribosome
contains the tRNA that carries the
growing polypeptide.
• The A (amino) site holds the RNA
with the next amino acid.
• The E site is the exit site.

During initiation, the initiator tRNA

binds to the P site.
UNIT 3 Chapter 6: Gene Expression Section 6.3

Enlongation Phase of Translation

Protein synthesis occurs during elongation. One amino acid is
added at a time to the growing polypeptide chain.
Elongation factors join to facilitate the growth of the
polypeptide. Amino acids are joined by peptide bonds.
UNIT 3 Chapter 6: Gene Expression Section 6.3

Termination Phase of Translation

Termination begins when a stop codon on the mRNA
is reached.

The polypeptide and the translation machinery are

separated when a protein, called a release factor,
cleaves the polypeptide from the last tRNA.

The polypeptide is released and can fold into its

three-dimensional shape to carry out cellular functions.
UNIT 3 Chapter 6: Gene Expression Section 6.3

A Review of Gene Expression

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UNIT 3 Chapter 6: Gene Expression Section 6.3

A Review of Gene Expression