The term "Peptide Chain Initiation" refers to the process of starting the formation of a peptide chain. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as /ˈpɛptɪd tʃeɪn ɪˌnɪʃiˈeɪʃən/. The "p" sound is made with a puff of air, and the "e" sound is pronounced as in "set". The "t" sounds are sharp and non-aspirated, while the "ch" sound is a voiceless palato-alveolar affricate. The stress falls on the third syllable.
Peptide chain initiation refers to the initial step of protein synthesis in which the assembly of a new peptide chain or polypeptide begins. It involves the formation of a complex between the ribosome, the mRNA molecule, and the initiator tRNA, which together initiate the process of translation.
During peptide chain initiation, the small ribosomal subunit attaches to the mRNA molecule at the start codon, usually AUG, with the help of initiation factors. The initiator tRNA, carrying the amino acid methionine (or formylmethionine in prokaryotes), binds to the start codon on the mRNA. Then, the large ribosomal subunit joins the small subunit to form an intact ribosome complex.
The assembled ribosome begins to move along the mRNA molecule in a process known as translation elongation, and a chain of amino acids is added one by one to the growing polypeptide. This process occurs through the recognition of specific codons on the mRNA by complementary anticodons on tRNA molecules, which bring the corresponding amino acids to the ribosome.
Peptide chain initiation is a crucial step in protein synthesis, as it determines the starting point for the assembly of the polypeptide chain. It sets the reading frame and ensures that the correct amino acid sequence is encoded by the mRNA and translated into a functional protein. Defects or errors in peptide chain initiation can lead to abnormalities in protein synthesis and contribute to various genetic disorders and diseases.