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Related Concept Videos

Initiation of Translation02:33

Initiation of Translation

Initiating translation is complex because it involves multiple molecules. Initiator tRNA, ribosomal subunits, and eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) are all required to assemble on the initiation codon of mRNA. This process consists of several steps that are mediated by different eIFs.
First, the initiator tRNA must be selected from the pool of elongator tRNAs by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). The initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAi) has conserved sequence elements including modified bases at...
Initiation of Translation02:33

Initiation of Translation

Initiating translation is complex because it involves multiple molecules. Initiator tRNA, ribosomal subunits, and eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) are all required to assemble on the initiation codon of mRNA. This process consists of several steps that are mediated by different eIFs.
First, the initiator tRNA must be selected from the pool of elongator tRNAs by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). The initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAi) has conserved sequence elements including modified bases at...
Leaky Scanning02:28

Leaky Scanning

During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA.  Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R stands for...
Translation01:31

Translation

Lesson: Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Translation01:31

Translation

Lesson: Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Translation01:31

Translation

Lesson: Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Removal of an Internal Translational Start Site from mRNA While Retaining Expression of the Full-Length Protein
05:48

Removal of an Internal Translational Start Site from mRNA While Retaining Expression of the Full-Length Protein

Published on: March 16, 2022

Unnatural translation initiation.

John W Tomsho1, Stephen J Benkovic

  • 1The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Chemistry, 414 Wartik Laboratory, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.

ACS Chemical Biology
|February 19, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Researchers bypassed the standard methionine start for protein translation using synthetic biology. This novel in vitro system allows for diverse amino acid incorporation, enabling new possibilities in protein engineering and peptide cyclization.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Synthetic Biology

Background:

  • Protein translation naturally initiates with methionine via initiator transfer RNA (tRNA).
  • Established in vitro translation systems rely on this conserved biological mechanism.

Discussion:

  • A reconstituted translation system was engineered to utilize initiator tRNA synthetically mischarged with non-methionine amino acids.
  • This system demonstrated the capacity to incorporate various natural amino acids at the N-terminus of nascent polypeptides.
  • The N-alpha-acyl groups on these amino acids were found to be compatible with the translation machinery.

Key Insights:

  • Successfully circumvented the requirement for methionine in initiating protein synthesis in vitro.
  • Demonstrated flexibility in the translation system to accept diverse amino acids and acyl groups.

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Xenopus laevis as a Model to Identify Translation Impairment
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Xenopus laevis as a Model to Identify Translation Impairment

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Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs
10:37

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs

Published on: May 10, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Removal of an Internal Translational Start Site from mRNA While Retaining Expression of the Full-Length Protein
05:48

Removal of an Internal Translational Start Site from mRNA While Retaining Expression of the Full-Length Protein

Published on: March 16, 2022

Xenopus laevis as a Model to Identify Translation Impairment
10:24

Xenopus laevis as a Model to Identify Translation Impairment

Published on: September 27, 2015

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs
10:37

Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs

Published on: May 10, 2018

  • Opened avenues for producing non-natural protein N-termini and facilitating post-translational modifications.

    • Outlook:

    • Potential for novel protein engineering and the synthesis of peptides with unique N-terminal modifications.
    • Facilitation of in vitro synthesis of cyclic peptides and other complex protein structures.
    • Further exploration of the substrate scope and limitations of this modified translation system.