Protein Synthesis -The Stuff of Life

Proteins

Proteins are the workhorse molecule found in

organisms.

The blue print for proteins is coded in the DNA of

the organism.
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Uses of Proteins

History

1909 Archibald Gerrod suggested that

genes determine phenotype through
defective enzymes controlling biochemical
pathways.
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Work of Beadle and Tatum

George Beadle and Edward Tatum established

the link between genes and enzymes in studying
bread mold, Neurospora crassa.
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Conclusion
One

gene produces
one enzyme.
Later

it was modified

One

gene produces
one protein.
One

gene produces
one polypeptide chain.

Overview of Protein Synthesis

DNA is located in the nucleus

Proteins are made in the cytoplasm

RNA is the intermediate between the DNA code

and the actual synthesis of a protein
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Structure of RNA versus DNA

Three Main Types of RNA

Genetic Code

Amino acids
are coded for
by a triplet of
DNA
nucleotides
called a codon.

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Genetic Code

Marshall Nirenberg and

Heinrich Matthaei
determined the first
codon for an amino
acid. It was found that
UUU coded for the
amino acid
phenylalanine by
creating mRNA entirely
of uracil. The mRNA

(UUU..UUU.) added it to a test tube with amino

acids, ribosomes, RNA polymerase and other needed
materials. It resulted in a protein made of only
phenylalanine. Further research determined the rest
of the code.
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Genetic Code

The code has redundancy

(GGU, GGC, GGA, and
GGG); all code for the
amino acid glycine.

Each codon only codes

for one amino acid.

The code is a universal

code meaning almost all
cells use the same code.
A eukaryotic gene can be
expressed in a
prokaryotic cell.
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Specifying or Coding for a Polypeptide

This gene designates that the following

peptide chain be made with the amino acids
in this particular order.
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Transcription
Overview
Transcription-RNA
synthesis from a
DNA template

Initiation

Elongation

Termination

RNA processing

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Initiation

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Elongation

Elongation- RNA polymerase unwinds the

DNA and base pairs RNA nucleotides to
the DNA gene. RNA is made 5 3 so
the DNA gene is 3 5.
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Termination
1. Intrinsic
termination
2. Extrinsic
termination

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RNA Processing

Eukaryotic RNA processing

5'

cap is added.

At

the 3' end 30-200 adenine nucleotides are added (polyA-tail).

Introns

are removed
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Removing Introns

A spliceosome
removes the introns.

Spliceosomes are
composed of smaller
particles called
snRNP (made of
proteins and snRNA).

The spliceosome will

splice the intron at a
specific RNA
sequence releasing a
"lariat" RNA.
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RNA Processing

Different exons are recombined in different ways

for certain mRNAs. This increases the number
of different proteins.
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Exon Shuffling and Different Proteins

Proteins often have a

modular architecture
consisting of discrete
regions called domains

In many cases, different

exons code for the
different domains in a
protein

Exon shuffling may result

in the evolution of new
proteins.
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Ready for Translation

This mRNA has been processed and is

called mature mRNA. It is ready to go to
the cytoplasm for translation.

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Differences in Protein Synthesis between

Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Prokaryotes do not have introns like eukaryotes.

RNA in prokaryotes does not have to be processed like

eukaryotes.

Transcription and translation can be simultaneous in

prokaryotes.
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Protein Syntheis: A Review

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Homework

Explaining the role of RNA polymerase

and Spliceosomes (snRNPs) in protein
synthesis.
Explain the organization of the genetic
material in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
and contrast the process of Transcription
in prokaryotes and eukaryotes