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Related Concept Videos

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...
From DNA to Protein03:06

From DNA to Protein

The flow of genetic information in cells from DNA to mRNA to protein is described by the central dogma, which states that genes specify the sequence of mRNAs, which in turn specify the sequence of amino acids making up all proteins. The decoding of one molecule to another is performed by specific proteins and RNAs. Because the information stored in DNA is so central to cellular function, it makes intuitive sense that the cell would make mRNA copies of this information for protein synthesis...
Improving Translational Accuracy02:07

Improving Translational Accuracy

Base complementarity between the three base pairs of mRNA codon and the tRNA anticodon is not a failsafe mechanism. Inaccuracies can range from a single mismatch to no correct base pairing at all. The free energy difference between the correct and nearly correct base pairs can be as small as 3 kcal/ mol. With complementarity being the only proofreading step, the estimated error frequency would be one wrong amino acid in every 100 amino acids incorporated. However, error frequencies observed in...
Improving Translational Accuracy02:07

Improving Translational Accuracy

Base complementarity between the three base pairs of mRNA codon and the tRNA anticodon is not a failsafe mechanism. Inaccuracies can range from a single mismatch to no correct base pairing at all. The free energy difference between the correct and nearly correct base pairs can be as small as 3 kcal/ mol. With complementarity being the only proofreading step, the estimated error frequency would be one wrong amino acid in every 100 amino acids incorporated. However, error frequencies observed in...
The Central Dogma01:25

The Central Dogma

Overview
The Central Dogma01:20

The Central Dogma

The central dogma explains the flow of genetic information from DNA nucleotides to the amino acid sequence of proteins.
RNA is the Missing Link Between DNA and Proteins
In the early 1900s, scientists discovered that DNA stores all the information needed for cellular functions and that proteins perform most of these functions. However, the mechanisms of converting genetic information into functional proteins remained unknown for many years. Initially, it was believed that a single gene is...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

De novo Identification of Actively Translated Open Reading Frames with Ribosome Profiling Data
08:23

De novo Identification of Actively Translated Open Reading Frames with Ribosome Profiling Data

Published on: February 18, 2022

Balanced codon usage optimizes eukaryotic translational efficiency.

Wenfeng Qian1, Jian-Rong Yang, Nathaniel M Pearson

  • 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.

Plos Genetics
|April 6, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Synonymous codons are not translated faster, contrary to popular belief. Instead, codon usage matches tRNA levels, optimizing protein translation efficiency, especially when tRNA is scarce.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Cellular efficiency in protein translation is crucial for organism fitness, particularly in rapidly growing species.
  • It is commonly assumed that faster translation of specific synonymous codons maximizes translational efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vivo translational speeds of all sense codons in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
  • To explore the relationship between codon usage, tRNA concentration, and translational efficiency.
  • To identify mechanisms by which codon usage impacts translational efficiency and natural selection.

Main Methods:

  • Estimation of in vivo translational speeds for all sense codons in budding yeast.
  • Analysis of codon usage patterns in relation to cognate tRNA concentrations across eukaryotes.
  • Experimental validation of the impact of codon-tRNA balance on translational efficiency.

Main Results:

  • Preferentially used codons are not translated faster than unpreferred codons.
  • Codon usage is proportional to cognate tRNA concentrations in model eukaryotes.
  • This codon-tRNA balance enhances translational efficiency, particularly under tRNA limitation.

Conclusions:

  • A novel mechanism reveals how unequal codon usage increases translational efficiency.
  • Widespread natural selection favors translational efficiency.
  • Findings offer new strategies for improving synthetic biology applications.