1. SBI 4U: Metablic Processes
TRANSLATION
The reading of the mRNA transcript and the creation of the polypeptide chain.
Occurs on the Ribosomes:
Composed of a small subunit (40S) and a large subunit (60S)
Made up of ribosomal RNA and protein
The mRNA transcript is read by the ribosome in sets of 3 nucleotides to determine the amino acid sequence.
tRNA deliver the appropriate amino acid to the ribosome where the polypeptide chain is built.
Section 1.3

2. SBI 4U: Metablic Processes
Genetic Code
There are 20 amino acids found in proteins, but only 4 bases in the code (U C A G of mRNA)
Codons: sequences of three nucleotide bases used to code for an amino acid. Ex. UAC codes for Tyrosine
43=64 possible codons
therefore some amino acids can have more than one codon
Ex. UUU UUC, UCU, UCC all code for phenylalanine
This redundancy helps to reduce errors
Section 1.3

3. The Genetic Code
AUG: start codon used 99% of the time (codes for Methionine)
UAA, UAG, UGA: stop codons

4. SBI 4U: Metablic Processes
tRNA
tRNA delivers amino acids to the ribosome
Looks like a cloverleaf
Has an anticodon – sequence of three bases that recognize (are complementary to) the mRNA codon
ex. The GCC codon specifies the a.a. alanine
The anticodon on the tRNA carrying alanine would be CGG
Opposite arm carries the amino acid binding site
Amino acids are added by Aminoacyl t-RNA synthases to make aminoacyl-tRNA
Section 1.3

5. 1) Initiation
The small subunit of the ribosome recognizes the 5' cap on the mRNA transcript and binds to the RNA.
The ribosome will position itself at AUG (the first codon read for every protein)
Ensures the correct reading frame (phase in which the mRNA is read) is used by the ribosome
The large subunit binds and the subunits act as a clamp (80S) around the mRNA.

6. SBI 4U: Metablic Processes
Sites on the Ribosome
The large subunit of the ribosome has two sites that the mRNA moves through:
A (acceptor) site: where new amino acids enter the ribosome
P (peptide) site: where the polypeptide chain grows as the amino acids are combined.
At a third site, the catalytic site, the peptide bonds are made between the amino acid in the A site and the P site.
Section 1.3

7. 2) Elongation of the Polypeptide Chain
The AUG codon will be in the P site, tRNA carrying the corresponding amino acid (methionine) enters this site.
The next tRNA carrying the required a.a. enters the A site.
At the catalytic site (b/w A and P) a peptide bond forms between the two amino acids.

8. The ribosome moves over one codon
The ribosome moves over one codon. The second tRNA moves to the P site, a new tRNA brings the next a.a. to the A site and the a.a. is added to the chain.
The first tRNA is released to be recycled for use with another amino acid.
The process repeats with the polypeptide chain trailing in the cytoplasm.

9. Translation

10. Translation

11. SBI 4U: Metablic Processes
3) Termination
Ribosome will reach a stop codon (UGA, UAG, UAA)
No tRNA or a.a. exists for a stop codon
A release-factor protein helps the two ribosome subunits to fall off the mRNA and the polypeptide chain is released.
Section 1.3

12. 4) Post-Translational Modifications
Polypeptide chains travel through the RER and are modified to become functional proteins.
Some amino acids may be glycosylated (sugar added) or phosphorylated (phosphate added) or altered in another way.
Enzymes may cleave (cut) the chain at specific places.

13. SBI 4U: Metablic Processes
Wobble Hypothesis
In codons the third base may differ between 2 codons that code for the same amino acid (UAU and UAC both code for tyrosine).
If the tRNA's anticodon is AUA it can still bind to UAC.
This flexibility allows for the correct amino acid to be added to the polypeptide chain despite errors in the gene sequence.
The proposal that tRNA can recognize more than one codon by unusual base pairing is known as the “wobble hypothesis”.
Section 1.3