Lecture 7 - Protein Synthesis: Transcription and Translation
DNA contains codes
Three bases in DNA code for one amino acid. The DNA code is copied to
produce mRNA. The order of amino acids in the polypeptide is
determined by the sequence of 3-letter codes in mRNA.
DNA vs RNA
DNA RNA
Sugar: deoxyribose ribose
Bonds with Adenine: thymine uracil
# of Strands: two one
Kinds of RNA
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Messenger RNA contains genetic information. It is a copy of a portion of
the DNA.
It carries genetic information from the gene (DNA) out of the nucleus,
into the cytoplasm of the cell where it is translated to produce protein.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
This type of RNA is a structural component of the ribosomes. It does not
contain a genetic message.
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Transfer RNA (tRNA)
Transfer RNA functions to transport amino acids to the ribosomes during
protein synthesis.
Transcription
Transcription is the synthesis of mRNA from a DNA template.
It is like DNA replication in that a DNA strand is used to synthesize a
strand of mRNA.
Only one strand of DNA is copied.
A single gene may be transcribed thousands of times.
After transcription, the DNA strands rejoin.
Steps involved in transcription
DNA unwinds.
RNA polymerase recognizes a specific base sequence in the DNA called
a promoter and binds to it. The promoter identifies the start of a gene,
which strand is to be copied, and the direction that it is to be copied.
Complementary bases are assembled (U instead of T).
A termination code in the DNA indicates where transcription will stop.
The mRNA produced is called a mRNA transcript.
Processing the mRNA Transcript
In eukaryotic cells, the newly-formed mRNA transcript (also called
heterogenous nuclear RNA or hnRNA) must be further modified before it
can be used.
A cap is added to the 5’ end and a poly-A tail (150 to 200 Adenines) is
added to the 3’end of the molecule.
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The newly-formed mRNA has regions that do not contain a genetic
message. These regions are called introns and must be removed. Their
function is unknown.
The remaining portions of mRNA are called exons. They are spliced
together to form a mature mRNA transcript.
The Nucleus
DNA is located in an organelle called the nucleus.
Transcription and mRNA processing occur in the nucleus.
The nucleus is surrounded by a double membrane. After the mature
mRNA transcript is produced, it moves out of the nucleus and into the
cytoplasm through pores in the nuclear membrane.
Translation
Translation is the process where ribosomes synthesize proteins using the
mature mRNA transcript produced during transcription.
Overview
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The diagram below shows a ribosome attach to mRNA, and then move
along the mRNA adding amino acids to the growing polypeptide chain.
Translation - Details
A mature mRNA transcript, a ribosome, several tRNA molecules and
amino acids are shown. There is a specific tRNA for each of the 20
different amino acids.
Below: A ribosome attaches to the mRNA transcript.
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A tRNA molecule transports an amino acid to the ribosome. Notice that
the 3-letter anticodon on the tRNA molecule matches the 3-letter code
(called a codon) in the mRNA. The tRNA with the anticodon "UAC"
bonds with methionine. It always transports methionine. Transfer RNA
molecules with different anticodons transport other amino acids.
A second tRNA molecule bonds to the mRNA at the ribosome. Again, the
codes must match.
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A bond is formed between the two amino acids.
The tRNA bonded to methionine drops off and can be reused later.
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The ribosome moves along the mRNA to expose another codon (GAU)
for a tRNA molecule.
The only tRNA molecule that can bond to the GAU site is a molecule
with a CUA anticodon. Transfer RNA molecules with CUA anticodons
are specific for asparagine.
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Asparagine is now added to the growing amino acid chain.
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Summary Animation of Translation on the Internet
Click here to view an animation of translation.
Click here to go to a web page that shows an animation of translation. Go
to the bottom of the page and then click translation.
Initiation and Termination Codes
An initiation code signals the start of a genetic message. As the ribosome
moves along a mRNA transcript, it will not begin synthesizing protein
until it reaches an initiation code.
Termination codes signal the end of the genetic message. Synthesis stops
when the ribosome reaches a terminator codon.
Genetic Code
The table below can be used to determine what amino acid corresponds to
any 3-letter codon.
First Second Base Third
Base U C A G Base
UUU UCU UAU UGU U
U phenylalanine serine tyrosine cysteine
UUC UCC UAC UGC C
phenylalanine serine tyrosine cysteine
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UUA UCA UAA UGA A
leucine serine stop stop
UUG UCG UAG UGG G
leucine serine stop tryptophan
CUU CCU CAU CGU U
leucine proline histidine arginine
CUC CCC CAC CGC C
C leucine proline histidine arginine
CUA CCA CAA CGA A
leucine proline glutamine arginine
CUG CCG CAG CGG G
leucine proline glutamine arginine
AUU ACU AAU AGU U
isoleucine threonine asparagine serine
AUC ACC AAC AGC C
A isoleucine threonine asparagine serine
AUA ACA AAA AGA A
isoleucine threonine lysine arginine
AUG (start) ACG AAG AGG G
methionine threonine lysine arginine
GUU GCU GAU GGU U
valine alanine aspartate glycine
GUC GCC GAC GGC C
G valine alanine aspartate glycine
GUA GCA GAA GGA A
valine alanine glutamate glycine
GUG GCG GAG GGG G
valine alanine glutamate glycine
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Mutation
Mutations are changes in the DNA.
Frameshift
A frameshift mutation is usually severe, producing a completely
nonfunctional protein.
The priniciple of a frameshift can be explained using the sentence below.
If the letters are read three at a time and one is deleted, the second
sentence becomes meaningless.
Original DNA:THE BIG RED ANT ATE ONE FAT BUG
Frameshift mutation: THB IGR EDA NTA TEO NEF ATB UG?
Point Mutation
Point mutations involve a single nucleotide, thus a single amino acid.
In the sentence below, eliminating one letter does not change in the
remaining three-letter words and therefore may not cause a significant
change in the meaning of the sentence.
Original DNA:THE BIG RED ANT ATE ONE FAT BUG
Point mutation:THA BIG RED ANT ATE ONE FAT BUG
Silent, Missense, and Nonsense Mutations
Three kinds of point mutations can occur. A mutation that results in an
amino acid substitution is called a missense mutation.
A mutation that results in a stop codon so that incomplete proteins are
produced, it is called a nonsense mutation.
A mutation that produces a functioning protein is called a silent mutation.
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