The process of assembling a protein from RNA is known as translation. This crucial step in gene expression occurs after transcription, where the DNA sequence of a gene is converted into RNA.
During translation, the messenger RNA (mRNA) produced from transcription serves as a template. Ribosomes, which are the cellular machinery responsible for protein synthesis, read the mRNA sequence in sets of three nucleotides called codons. Each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid.
Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, are brought to the ribosome by transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules. Each tRNA has an anticodon that is complementary to the mRNA codon, ensuring the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain.
The ribosome facilitates the binding of tRNA to mRNA and catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids, thus elongating the polypeptide chain. This process continues until the ribosome reaches a stop codon on the mRNA, signaling the end of protein synthesis. At this point, the newly formed protein is released to fold into its functional three-dimensional shape.
In summary, translation is a multi-step process that converts the genetic code in RNA into a functional protein, and it involves the coordinated action of mRNA, tRNA, ribosomes, and various other factors to ensure accuracy and efficiency in protein assembly.