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Related Concept Videos

Initiation of Translation02:33

Initiation of Translation

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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...
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The Eukaryotic Promoter Region02:40

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The eukaryotic promoter region is a segment of DNA located upstream of a gene. It contains an RNA polymerase binding site, a transcription start site, and several cis-regulatory sequences.  The proximal promoter region is located in the vicinity of the gene and has cis-regulatory sequences and the core promoter. The core promoter is the binding site for RNA polymerase and is usually located between -35 and +35 nucleotides from the transcription start site. The distal promoter regions are...
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Translation01:31

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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.
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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...
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Toeprinting Analysis of Translation Initiation Complex Formation on Mammalian mRNAs
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Start Codon Recognition in Eukaryotic and Archaeal Translation Initiation: A Common Structural Core.

Emmanuelle Schmitt1, Pierre-Damien Coureux2, Auriane Monestier3

  • 1Laboratoire de Biochimie, Ecole polytechnique, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau CEDEX, France. emmanuelle.schmitt@polytechnique.edu.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 24, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Eukaryotic and archaeal translation initiation share key factors (eIF1, eIF1A, eIF2) for start codon selection. Divergent evolution adapted these factors for distinct mRNA scanning mechanisms, impacting protein synthesis evolution.

Keywords:
archaeaeukaryotesevolutionribosometranslation initiation

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Ribosomal translation is fundamental to protein synthesis across all life.
  • Translation initiation, elongation, and termination are universal steps.
  • Start codon selection by the small ribosomal subunit defines the open reading frame.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Compare start codon selection mechanisms in eukaryotes and archaea.
  • Investigate the roles of shared initiation factors in both domains.
  • Elucidate the evolutionary divergence in translation initiation.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of eukaryotic and archaeal translation initiation pathways.
  • Review of molecular mechanisms involving initiation factors.
  • Examination of mRNA features influencing start codon selection.

Main Results:

  • Eukaryotic initiation involves complex scanning mechanisms to find the start codon.
  • Archaeal initiation utilizes Shine-Dalgarno sequences or short 5' UTRs for start codon recognition.
  • Three initiation factors (eIF1, eIF1A, eIF2) are conserved and crucial for start codon selection in both eukaryotes and archaea.

Conclusions:

  • Shared initiation factors suggest a common evolutionary origin for ribosomal core complexes.
  • Divergence in these factors facilitated distinct mRNA scanning strategies (scanning vs. SD-mediated positioning).
  • Understanding these differences provides insights into the evolution of protein synthesis.