Translation

Translation is the process of synthesizing a protein from a messenger RNA template.

This process begins when the small subunit of a ribosome, in a complex with a methionine tRNA and initiation factors, binds to the five prime end of an mRNA. The complex scans the mRNA in the five prime to three prime direction until it encounters an AUG codon that serves as the translation initiation site.

Next, the methionine tRNA pairs with the AUG codon and recruits the large subunit of the ribosome. Synthesis of the new protein starts when a tRNA carrying its amino acid binds to the next codon of the mRNA through its anticodon.

This action places the new amino acid close to the previously incorporated amino acid, and a peptide bond forms between the two amino acids.

Translation continues as the ribosome moves to the next codon in the sequence. This forward movement is called translocation and will continue until the ribosome encounters a stop codon.

Stop codons are unique in that they do not have tRNAs. Instead, proteins called release factors bind to the stop codon, inducing the ribosome to release the newly synthesized protein and causing the ribosome to dissociate.