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Protein Synthesis: Translation

of Genetic Message

Learning outcomes

At the end of this topic, students should:

Understand translation.

Recognize different stages of translation

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Protein synthesis
Two stages;
1. Transcription - DNA to mRNA (nucleus)
2. Translation – mRNA to polypeptide or
protein (ribosome)

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• Protein synthesis occurs in ribosome

• mRNA is translated from 5’ to 3’

5’

3’
© 2010 Mohd Fakharul Zaman, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UiTM SHAH ALAM

Revision : Transcription

Before the synthesis of a protein begins, the
corresponding RNA molecule is produced by
RNA transcription.

One strand of the DNA double helix is used as
a template by the RNA polymerase to
synthesize a messenger RNA (mRNA).

This mRNA migrates from the nucleus to the
cytoplasm.

The coding mRNA sequence can be described
as a unit of three nucleotides called a codon

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Translation

Codon - a three base sequence on the

mRNA molecule that provides the code
for a particular amino acid.

Anti-codon – a three base sequence on
the transfer RNA molecule that that is
complementary to a mRNA codon.

Translation
Three stages;
1. Initiation – the use of start codon AUG
2. Chain elongation – the building of
amino acid sequence from the codons
3. Termination – the completion of the
mRNA sequence with one of the stops
codons UAG, UAA or UGA

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Initiation
•Amico acid is activated and covalently
bonded to the tRNA, forming an
aminoacyl-tRNA, involving aminoacyl-
tRNA synthetases.
•The first aminoacyl-tRNA is bound to the
mRNA at the site encodes the start of
polypeptide synthesis (start codon- Met).
•The mRNA and the ribosome are bound
to each other.

Chain Elongation
•The next aminoacyl-tRNA forms a complex with
ribosome and mRNA.
•A peptide bond is formed between the first and
the second amino acids.
•The first tRNA molecule breaks away and moves
back into cytoplasm.
•The ribosome moves along the mRNA strand, one
codon at a time, leading to the placement of the
correct amino acid in position on the growing
polypeptide chain.

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Termination

When a stop codon is reached, translation
ceases, release factor-stop codon, and the
polypeptide chain is released from ribosome.

Many ribosomes can move along the same mRNA
molecule leading to the synthesis of large numbers
of polypeptide chains in a short period of time.

All stages require enzymes and a source of
energy.

Sense
Anti-sense

1 codon

1 codon = 1 triplet code = 3 bases = 1 amino acid

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Initiation For newly-attached

tRNA

Amino
acid

Codon is from mRNA;

anti-codon is from
tRNA
Activated
amino acid

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5.2 Elongation

Figure 6-66 Molecular Biology of the Cell (© Garland Science 2008)

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5.3 Termination
• Ribosome encounters stop codon, none of stop codons are
recognized by tRNA molecule
• The release factor binds to stop codon and catalyzed the
hydrolysis of the bond between C-terminal amino acid and tRNA

Summary of translation
•Activation of amino acid by tRNA.
•Chain initiation by binding of ribosome
subunits to mRNA and binding of tRNA-amino
acid complex to mRNA
•Chain elongation by movement of ribosome
subunits along mRNA transcript; release of
tRNA and formation of peptide bond between
amino acids.
•Chain termination by release factor -
Disssociation of ribosome subunits from mRNA
and release of polypeptide chain.

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Thank you

Acknowledgement :
Azani Saleh

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