What is translation and where does it occur?
Translation is the second stage of protein synthesis, where the genetic information
encoded in messenger RNA (mRNA) is translated into a sequence of amino acids,
which are linked together to form a polypeptide chain. This process occurs in
ribosomes, which are large complexes made up of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and
proteins. During translation, the ribosome moves along the mRNA, decoding the
information in the mRNA codons and adding the corresponding amino acids to the
growing polypeptide chain.
Translation is a complex process that involves several steps, including initiation,
elongation, and termination. During initiation, the ribosome complex binds to the
mRNA and locates the start codon (AUG), which signals the beginning of the coding
sequence for the protein. In elongation, the ribosome reads the mRNA codons and
recruits the appropriate aminoacyl-tRNA to add the corresponding amino acid to the
growing polypeptide chain. In termination, the ribosome reads a stop codon (UAA,
UAG, or UGA) and releases the newly synthesized protein.
Translation is a crucial process for cells, as it generates the wide variety of proteins
that are needed for cellular metabolism, structure, and function. The accuracy and
efficiency of translation depend on the specific interactions between the mRNA,
tRNAs, ribosome, and several protein factors involved in the process.
References:
1. Lodish H, Berk A, Zipursky SL, et al. Molecular Cell Biology. 4th edition. New York: W. H.
Freeman; 2000. Section 6.3, Translation: Protein Synthesis.
2. Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th edition. New York:
Garland Science; 2002. Chapter 6, From DNA to RNA to Protein.