Protein Synthesis
Genetic information (genes) coded in DNA
provide all the information needed to
assemble proteins.
If DNA cannot leave the nucleus
– How can it get the instructions
out to make the proteins needed
to survive??????
RNA
1. Contains the sugar
ribose instead of
deoxyribose.
2. Single-stranded
instead of double
stranded.
3. Contains uracil in
place of thymine.
RNA Contains:
1. Adenine
2. Cytosine
3. Guanine
4. Uracil (not
Thymine)
Comparison of DNA and RNA
DNA
■ 3 Main differences between DNA &
RNA
1. Sugar:
a. DNA: Deoxyribose
b. RNA: Ribose
2. Nitrogen Bases:
A, T, C, & G
a. DNA: A, T, C, G
RNA
b. RNA: A, U, C, G
▪ U = uracil
3. Number of strands that make up
the molecule:
a. DNA: two strands
b. RNA: one strand
Three Main Types of RNA
1. Messenger RNA (mRNA) - Carries copies of
instructions, for the assembly of amino acids into
proteins, from DNA to the ribosome (serve as
“messenger”)
* Made in the nucleus
Three Main Types of RNA
2.Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) – Makes up the major
part of ribosomes, which is where proteins are
made.
* made in the nucleolus
1 ribosome = 4
molecules of
rRNA and 82
proteins
Ribosomal
RNA
Three Main Types of RNA
3. Transfer RNA (tRNA) – Transfers (carries)
amino acids to ribosomes as specified by
codons in the mRNA
Proteins
■ Proteins are made up of a chain of amino acids.
2 Steps to Make a Protein
1. Transcription
■ DNA → RNA
2. Translation
■ RNA → Protein
(Chain of amino
acids)
Step 1: Transcription
1. Transcription: a complementary
single strand of mRNA is copied from
part of the DNA in the nucleus
a. RNA Polymerase, an enzyme,
unwinds DNA strand
b. RNA polymerase “reads” one
strand of DNA bases and makes
the RNA strand
■ If DNA is TACCAGTTT c. mRNA leaves and DNA
■ mRNA will be AUGGUCAAA strands will coil back up
Step 1b: mRNA editing
1. mRNA editing: cutting and
splicing mRNA before it leaves
the nucleus
a. Introns- (intruders) “junk
DNA” that doesn’t code for
proteins are cut out
b. Exons- “good DNA” that
code for proteins stay and
are expressed
2. Introns are removed and exons
are spliced together.
3. Edited mRNA is sent out of
nucleus to ribosome
(the exons can be spliced together in
different sequences to produce different
mRNA’s = different proteins)
Fun FACT:
■ Over 98% of the human genome is noncoding
DNA (introns)… Evolution perhaps?!?
We have 25,000 genes but produce more
than 100,000 diff proteins = splicing
Transcription: DNA → RNA
Transcription Animation
■ http://www-class.unl.edu/biochem/gp2/
m_biology/animation/gene/gene_a2.html
■ http://207.207.4.198/pub/flash/26/
transmenu_s.swf (very good but need to skip
some parts)
■ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=983lhh20rGY
Step 2: Translation
1. How the code is read:
a. Every 3 bases on mRNA
represents a code for an amino
acid = codon.
b. Amino acids are abbreviated
most times by using the first 3
letters of the amino acid’s name.
■ Met = methonine
■ Leu = leucine
Slide # 10
Reading the Codon Chart
Examples:
AUG = Methionine
CAU = Histidine
UAG = Stop
First Third
Position Position
Try
these: Answers:
GCU: Alanine
UAC: Tyrosine
CUG: Leucine
This chart only works for mRNA codons.
UUA: Leucine
Jan 2006
Step 2: Translation
■ Translation - Translating of a mRNA
codons into a protein (amino acid chain)
■ Takes place on ribosomes in cytoplasm
Step 2: Translation
1. Edited mRNA attaches to a ribosome
2. As each codon of the mRNA molecule moves through the
ribosome, the tRNA brings the proper amino acid to the
ribosome.
■ Notice the anticodon on tRNA – it is complementary to the
mRNA codon
■ The amino acids are joined together by chemical bonds
called peptide bonds to build an amino acid chain called a
“polypeptide”
Regulation of Protein Synthesis
■ Start codons: found at the beginning of a
protein
■ Only one - AUG (methionine)
■ Stop codons: found at the end of a protein
(end of a polypeptide chain)
■ Three stop codons that do not code for any
amino acid therefore making the process
stop : UAA, UAG,UGA
Translation Animations
■ http://207.207.4.198/pub/flash/26/
transmenu_s.swf (very good animation!)
■ http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=983lhh20rGY
Slide # 12
Translation
Nucleus
mRNA
↓
Lysine
Phenylalanine t RNA
Methionine
← Anticodon
Ribosome
mRNA →
Start codon
Go to Jan 2006
Section:
Slide # 13
Translation
Growing polypeptide chain
The Polypeptide “Assembly Line”
Ribosome
tRNA
Lysine tRNA
mRNA
Completing the Polypeptide
mRNA Translation direction
Ribosome
Go to Jan 2006
Section:
Roles of RNA and DNA
■ The cell uses the vital DNA “master plan” to
prepare RNA “blueprints.”
■ The DNA molecule remains within the safety
of the nucleus, while RNA molecules go to the
protein-building sites in the cytoplasm—the
ribosomes.
Mutations (12-4)
■ Mutation – changes in the genetic material
(like mistakes in copying or transcribing)
Types of Mutations
■ Chromosomal ■ Gene Mutations -
Mutations - Involve Mutations that produce
changes in the number or changes in a single
structure of chromosomes. gene.
Ex. Downs Syndrome
Regulation of Protein Synthesis
■ Start codons: found at the beginning of a
protein
■ Only one - AUG (methionine)
■ Stop codons: found at the end of a protein
(end of a polypeptide chain)
■ Three stop codons that do not code for any
amino acid therefore making the process
stop : UAA, UAG,UGA
Types of Gene Mutations
Point mutations : affects single nucleotide
base is replaced with the wrong base (letter)
Example: Sickle-cell anemia
Point Mutations: Silent
1. Silent mutation: a base is changed, but
the new codon codes for the same amino
acid. ( typically it is the third letter in the
codon) Not all mutations are harmful.
Original
leading to a silent mutation
mRNA
Protein
Point Mutations - Substitution
1. Point mutation that still codes for an amino
acid, just the wrong amino acid
2. May or may not be harmful
Original
mRNA
Protein
Point Mutations
1. Prematurely code for a stop codon
2. Result: a nonfunctional protein
Original
Nonsense
mRNA
Protein
Frameshift Mutations: Deletion
1. Deletion: one or more
of the bases is deleted
from the code
2. Causes a shift in the
reading frame
Deletion
Frameshift Mutations: Insertion
1. Insertion: one or more
base pairs are inserted
into the code
2. Causes a shift in the
reading frame
Insertion
Significance of Mutations
■ Many mutations have little or no effect on the
expression of genes.
■ Mutations may be harmful and may be the
cause of many genetic disorders and cancer.
■ Source of genetic variability in a species (may
be highly beneficial).
Beneficial Mutations
■ Beneficial mutations may produce proteins with new
or altered activities that can be useful to organisms in
different or changing environments.
■ Plant and animal breeders often take advantage of
such beneficial mutations.
■ The condition in which an organism has extra sets
of chromosomes is called polyploidy.
■ Often larger and stronger than diploid plants,
but not beneficial in animals.
Gene Regulation (12-5)
▪ Only a fraction of the genes in a cell are
“expressed” at any given time
▪ (An “expressed” gene = exons= genes that are actually
transcribed into RNA)
▪ How does the cell determine which gene will be
expressed and which will remain ‘silent’?
▪ Promoters allow RNA polymerase to bind to begin
transcription. Repressors prevent RNA polymerase from
binding to go through transcription.
▪ Other DNA sequences (regulatory sites) act to turn on/off a
gene
Typical Gene Structure
Section 12-5
Promoter
Regulatory (RNA polymerase
sites binding site) DNA strand
Start transcription Stop transcription
Gene Regulation
■ The expression of genes can also be
influenced by environmental factors such
as temperature, light, chemicals, etc.
Development and Differentiation
■ Regulation of gene expression is important in shaping the
way an organism develops, shaping the way cells
undergo differentiation, by controlling which genes are
expressed and which are repressed.
■ A series of genes call Hox Genes control the
differentiation of cells in the embryo.
Gene Regulation (12-5)
A. Not all genes are active (expressed) at the same time.
1. Why: Because the cell would produce many
molecules it did NOT need – waste of energy and
raw materials
2. Gene expression (protein synthesis) is when the
product of a gene (specific protein) is being
actively produced by a cell.
a. some genes are – rarely expressed --
adrenaline
b. some genes are – constantly expressed –
hair growth, blood pressure
c. some genes are – expressed for a time, then
turned off (cyclical) -- estrogen
