The Mechanism of Molecular Biology Translation - Research Paper Example

The initiation process begins when the smaller subunit binds with the specific tRNA called N-formyl methionine or fMet. This binds with the initiation codon methionine. The process is followed by the binding of the larger subunit of the ribosome and an initiation complex is formed comprising fMET-tRNA at the P site of the ribosome while the A site remains empty. The process of initiation also involves extra proteins known as initiation factors. The process of elongation involves the formation of peptide bonds, as a result of the tRNA in the A site becomes peptidyl RNA and moves to the P site.

Thus translocation occurs. A single ribosome involves the translocation of 60 nucleotides per second. Termination of the translation is dependent on the occurrence of three stop signals also called nonsense codons at the A site. These stop codons are UAG, UGA, and UAA (Web: "Molecular Biology: Translation"). The translation is followed by the destination of protein either to the membrane or as free enzymes to carry out cellular metabolism. The free proteins are synthesized on the free ribosomes while the membranous proteins on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

The polypeptide binds with the molecular chaperone BiP to encourage the folding process within the ER. Lumens of the Golgi apparatus and the ER are topologically similar to the cellular surroundings. Thus polypeptide chains are translocated into ER which in turn are translocated to the plasma membrane (Web: "The Endoplasmic Reticulum").