Chapter 22 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

Chapter 22 Nucleic Acids and
Protein Synthesis
22.6 Types of RNA
22.7 Transcription: Synthesis of mRNA
22.8 The Genetic Code
22.9 Protein Synthesis: Translation
1
Types of RNA
2
Protein Synthesis
 The processes involved in protein synthesis
involve the formation of mRNA from DNA
(transcription) and the conversion by tRNA to
protein (translation).
3
Transcription: Synthesis of mRNA
In transcription:
 A section of DNA containing the gene unwinds.
 One strand of DNA is copied starting at the
initiation point, which has the sequence TATAAA.

 An mRNA is synthesized using complementary
base pairing with uracil (U) replacing thymine (T).

 The newly formed mRNA moves out of the nucleus
to ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
4
RNA Polymerase
 During transcription, RNA polymerase moves
along the DNA template in the 3’-5’direction to
synthesize the corresponding mRNA.
 The mRNA is released at the termination point.
5
mRNA Processing
 The DNA of eukaryotes contains exons that
code for proteins along with introns that do not.
 The initial mRNA called a pre-RNA includes
the noncoding introns.
 While in the nucleus, the introns are removed
from the pre-RNA.
 The exons that remain are joined to form the
mRNA that leaves the nucleus with the
information for the synthesis of protein.
6
Removing Introns from Pre-
mRNA
7
Regulation of Transcription
 A specific mRNA is synthesized when the cell
requires a particular protein.
 In feedback control, the end products speed
up or slow the synthesis of mRNA.
 In enzyme induction, high levels of a reactant
induces the transcription process to provide
the necessary enzymes for that reactant.
8
Lactose Operon and Repressor
 The lactose operon consists of a control site
and the genes that produce mRNA for
lactose enzymes.
 When there is no lactose in the cell, a
regulatory gene produces a repressor
protein that prevents the synthesis of
lactose enzymes.
 The repressor turns off mRNA synthesis.
9
Lactose Operon Turned Off
10
Lactose Operon and Inducer
 When lactose is present in the cell, some
lactose combines with the repressor, which
removes the repressor from the control site.
 Without the repressor, RNA polymerase
catalyzes the synthesis of the enzymes by
the genes in the operon.
 The level of lactose in the cell induces the
synthesis of the enzymes required for its
metabolism.
11
Lactose Operon Turned On
RNA Polymerase
12
Lac Operon
 Lactose Operon Movie
 http://www.dartmouth.edu/~cbbc/courses/m
ovies/LacOperon.html
13
The Genetic Code
The genetic code:
 Is found in the sequence of nucleotides in
mRNA.
 Is a triplet of bases called codons along the
mRNA that codes for a particular amino acid.

 Contains different codons for all 20 amino
acids needed to build a protein.

 Contains certain codons that signal the “start”
and “end” of a polypeptide chain.
14
The Genetic Code: mRNA Codons
15
Codons and Amino Acids
 Suppose we want to determine the amino acids coded
for in the following section of a mRNA.
5’—CCU —AGC—GGA—CUU—3’
 According to the genetic code, the amino acids for
these codons are
CCU = Proline AGC = Serine
GGA = Glycine CUU = Leucine
 The mRNA section codes for the amino acid sequence
of Pro—Ser—Gly—Leu
16
tRNA Activation
 Each tRNA has a triplet
called an anticodon that
complements a codon on
mRNA.
 A synthetase uses ATP
hydrolysis to attach an
amino acid to a specific
tRNA.
.
Anticodon
17
Initiation and Translocation
 Protein synthesis begins when a mRNA attaches to a
ribosome.
 On the mRNA, the start codon (AUG) binds to a tRNA
with methionine.
 The second codon attaches to a tRNA with the next
amino acid.
 A peptide bond forms between the adjacent amino
acids at the first and second codons.
 The first tRNA detaches from the ribosome and the
ribosome shifts to the adjacent codon on the mRNA
(translocation).
18
Termination
 After a polypeptide with all the amino acids for a
protein is synthesized, the ribosome reaches the
the “stop” codon: UGA, UAA, or UAG.
 There is no tRNA with an anticodon for the
“stop” codons.
 Therefore, protein synthesis ends.
 The polypeptide is released from the ribosome
and is ready to function as an active protein.
19
20
Protein synthesis.
 DNA words are three letters long.
 http://www.dnaftb.org/dnaftb/22/concept/in
dex.html
21

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Chapter 22 Nucleic Acids and

 One strand of DNA is copied starting at the

initiation point, which has the sequence TATAAA.

base pairing with uracil (U) replacing thymine (T).

to ribosomes in the cytoplasm.

mRNA that codes for a particular amino acid.

acids needed to build a protein.

and “end” of a polypeptide chain.

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