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Related Concept Videos

Translation

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

Translation

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

Leaky Scanning

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...

Nucleic Acid Structure

Nucleic Acid Structure

The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
DNA Structure
DNA has a double-helix structure. The...

Improving Translational Accuracy

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...

Termination of Translation

Termination of Translation

The large ribosomal subunit has several important structures essential to translation. These include the peptidyl transferase center (PTC) - which is the site where the peptide bond is formed - and a large, internal, water-filled tube through which the nascent polypeptide moves. This latter structure is called the Peptide Exit Tunnel, and it begins at the PTC and spans the body of the large ribosomal subunit. During translation, as the nascent polypeptide chain is synthesized, it passes through...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

iCLIP - Transcriptome-wide Mapping of Protein-RNA Interactions with Individual Nucleotide Resolution

iCLIP - Transcriptome-wide Mapping of Protein-RNA Interactions with Individual Nucleotide Resolution

Published on: April 30, 2011

HuR and translation--the missing linc(RNA).

Carol J Wilusz¹, Jeffrey Wilusz

¹Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. carol.wilusz@colostate.edu

|August 28, 2012

Summary

HuR protein impacts translation efficiency by regulating the decay of a specific long noncoding RNA (lincRNA-p21). This lincRNA-p21 then binds to messenger RNAs, inhibiting their translation.

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
RNA Biology
Gene Regulation

Background:

The protein HuR (Human antigen R) is a key regulator of mRNA stability and translation.
Long noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in gene expression.
The precise mechanisms by which HuR influences translation efficiency are complex and multifaceted.

Discussion:

Yoon et al. (2012) demonstrate that HuR directly influences the decay rate of lincRNA-p21.
This regulation of lincRNA-p21 by HuR is a critical step in controlling gene expression.
The study provides an indirect mechanism for HuR's impact on translation.

Key Insights:

HuR promotes the decay of lincRNA-p21.
lincRNA-p21 acts as a translational repressor by hybridizing with mRNA targets.

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Isolation of Translating Ribosomes Containing Peptidyl-tRNAs for Functional and Structural Analyses

Isolation of Translating Ribosomes Containing Peptidyl-tRNAs for Functional and Structural Analyses

Published on: February 25, 2011

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Last Updated: May 19, 2026

iCLIP - Transcriptome-wide Mapping of Protein-RNA Interactions with Individual Nucleotide Resolution

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Isolation of Translating Ribosomes Containing Peptidyl-tRNAs for Functional and Structural Analyses

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This pathway offers a novel explanation for HuR's role in modulating translation efficiency.

Outlook:

Further investigation into the HuR-lincRNA-p21 interaction could reveal new therapeutic targets.
Understanding this regulatory network is crucial for deciphering complex gene expression patterns.
This mechanism highlights the intricate interplay between RNA decay and translational control.