Bke2 Biochemistry Exercises

Group exercise: RNA, protein synthesis

Eukaryotic mRNA (messenger RNA) is transcribed in the nucleus as a precursor mRNA and is subsequently processed to form a mature mRNA that can be translated in the cytoplasm. Describe (make a schematic drawing) the different steps/processes that are required to produce a functional mRNA, ready to be translated, from a precursor mRNA.
Describe briefly (no translation factors included) the different steps (initiation, elongation, termination) of translation. What roles do RNA molecules (apart from mRNA) play in the protein synthesis machinery?
If you know the amino acid sequence for a protein, is it then possible to tell the nucleotide sequence for the gene that encodes it? Discuss your answer.

Reading material: Horton, Chapters 21 & 22 (other useful reading may be found in Stryer chapter 33 & 34 and Alberts chapters 6 & 8)

Lectures:
Protein synthesis

Links:
Suggested answers