What converts mRNA into a protein?
Posted January 10, 2023
Answer
Ribosomes convert mRNA into a protein. Ribosomes are small, membrane-less organelles that are significant sites of protein synthesis. mRNA (messenger RNA) holds a transcript or coding sequence for protein synthesis. The process in which ribosomes convert mRNA into a protein is known as translation. This takes place over three main steps – initiation, elongation, and termination.
- In the initiation phase, the ribosomal subunits assemble around the target mRNA strand and proceed to attract transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bound to amino acids. The anticodon site of a special initiator tRNA interacts with a specific area on mRNA called a start codon.
- During the elongation phase, the ribosome moves along the mRNA molecule while linking amino acids to form a polypeptide chain.
- In the termination phase, the ribosome reaches a stop codon, which marks the end of protein synthesis. At this point, the ribosome releases the newly synthesized protein.
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