Characteristics of the Code

In the cell, translation occurs in the ___

Prokaryotes Prokaryotic DNA is circular with no ends. The genetic code of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells is virtually identical: the only difference is in the amino acid specified by the initiation codon Translation and transcription occurs simultaneously in the cytoplasm.

mRNA life

mRNA in prokaryotes is short lived, typically lasting only a few minutes In both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases attach amino acids to their appropriate tRNAs and the chemical process is the same The ribosome and its subunits are smaller in prokaryotes. In prokaryotes, the 30S and 50S combine to form a functional 70S ribosome. The large subunit of Prokaryotic ribosome contains two rRNAs. The small subunit has an 16S rRNA. Prokaryotic ribosomal subunits contain fewer proteins than the corresponding eukaryotic particles do. Differences allow antibiotics and other substances to inhibit bacterial translation while having no effect on the translation of eukaryotic genes.

Presence/ use of aminoacil-tRNA synthetases

Characteristics of the ribosomal subunits

Attachment of small subunit during initiation

Amino acid specified by the initiation codon Factors used during initiation, elongation and termination

The small subunit of the ribosome attaches directly to the region surrounding the start codon through hydrogen bonding between the Shine-Dalgamo consensus sequence in the 5 untranslated region of the mRNA and a sequence at the 3 end of the 16S rRNA AUG encodes a modified type of methionine, N-formylmethionine Initiation in prokaryotes requires less protein factors than in eukaryotes. Initiation Factors:

Eukaryotes Eukaryotic DNA is linear. The genetic code of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells is virtually identical: the only difference is in the amino acid specified by the initiation codon Most translation occurs in the cytoplasm. However recent research shows that translation of mRNAs of some genes takes place within the eukaryotic nucleus. The nuclear envelope separates the translation and transcription in eukaryotic cells that allows for modification of premRNA to mature mRNA. mRNA in Eukaryotes has highly variable longevity and is frequently hours or days In both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases attach amino acids to their appropriate tRNAs and the chemical process is the same The ribosome and its subunits are larger in eukaryotes. 40S and 60S subunits combine to form a functional 80s ribosome. The large eukaryotic subunit (60S) contains three rRNAs: 28S, 5S, and 5.8S rRNAs, the last having no counterpart in prokaryotes. The small subunit (40S) has an 18S rRNA. Eukaryotic ribosomal subunits contain more proteins than the corresponding prokaryotic particles do. Differences allow antibiotics and other substances to inhibit bacterial translation while having no effect on the translation of eukaryotic genes. The small subunit of Eukaryotic ribosome first binds to proteins attached to the 5 cap on mRNA and then migrates down to the mRNA, scanning the sequence until it encounters the first AUG initiation codon AUG encodes unformylated methionine Initiation requires many more protein factors in eukaryotes than in prokaryotes. Initiation Factors:

IF1 prepare mRNA for proper attachment to ribosome IF2 and IF3 helps bind Met-tRNA Elongation and termination are similar in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, although different elongation and termination factors are used. Elongation factors: EF-Tu delivers aminoacyl tRNA to ribosomes EF-Ts aids in recycling EFTu EF-G is a translocation factor. Termination Factors: RF1, RF2, RF3 releases the complete polypeptide chain.

Presence of polyribosomes

In both Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells, mRNAs are translated multiple times and are simultaneously attached to several ribosomes, forming polyribosomes

eIF1, eIF1A, eIF4A, eIF4B, eIF4F prepare mRNA for proper attachment to ribosome. eIF2, eIF2B, eIF3, eIF4C helps bind Met-tRNA and first to bind and prepare 40S for subsequent factors eIF5 helps dissociate eIF2, eIF3, eIF4C eIF6 helps dissociate 60S subunit from inactive ribosomes Elongation and termination are similar in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, although different elongation and termination factors are used. Elongation Factors: eEF1a delivers aminoacyl tRNA to ribosomes eEF1by aids in recycling eEF1a eEF2 is a translocation factor Termination Factors: eRF release complete polypeptide chain In both Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells, mRNAs are translated multiple times and are simultaneously attached to several ribosomes, forming polyribosomes