Translational frameshifting refers to a process that enables ribosomes to change reading frame during protein synthesis. The word is spelled as [tɹænsləˈteɪʃənəl ˈfɹeɪmʃɪftɪŋ] using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The 't' is pronounced as /t/, followed by the 'r' sound, /ɹ/. The 'a' is pronounced as /æ/, while 'n' is pronounced as /n/. Next, 's' is pronounced as /s/, followed by /l/ and /ə/. The next word 'frameshifting' is pronounced as /fɹeɪmʃɪftɪŋ/, where 'f' is pronounced as /f/, followed by /ɹ/, /eɪ/ and /m/.
Translational frameshifting is a process that occurs during gene expression, specifically during the translation of mRNA into proteins. In normal translation, the ribosome moves along the mRNA molecule in a linear manner, reading the codons and synthesizing the corresponding amino acids. However, in translational frameshifting, the ribosome can shift its reading frame to a different reading frame on the mRNA molecule, leading to the production of a different protein.
Translational frameshifting usually occurs due to the presence of specific signals within the mRNA sequence called frameshift signals. These signals can induce the ribosome to slip backwards or forwards by one or two nucleotides, causing a change in the reading frame. This shift results in the synthesis of a protein with a different sequence of amino acids compared to the original reading frame.
Frameshifting is a tightly regulated process and is commonly observed in certain types of viruses and bacteria. It is believed to be an evolutionary adaptation that allows these organisms to maximize their coding potential and produce multiple proteins from a single gene. Translational frameshifting has also been found in some eukaryotic organisms, although its occurrence is relatively rare.
Understanding translational frameshifting is important in the fields of molecular biology and genetics as it can influence protein function and contribute to the diversity of protein isoforms. Additionally, frameshifting events have significant implications in viral replication, as they can be involved in the synthesis of viral enzymes or regulatory proteins critical for viral survival and proliferation.
The term "Translational Frameshifting" is derived from a combination of two words: "translation" and "frameshifting".
1. Translation: In biology, translation refers to the process by which genetic information stored in the form of messenger RNA (mRNA) is decoded to produce a specific protein. During translation, a ribosome reads the mRNA sequence in groups of three nucleotides called codons and matches each codon to a specific amino acid, which is then incorporated into the growing protein chain.
2. Frameshifting: Frameshifting occurs when the ribosome reading frame is shifted, meaning it starts reading the mRNA sequence from a different position than usual. Normally, ribosomes begin reading at the start codon and move through the mRNA sequence codon by codon. However, frameshifting can happen due to specific RNA sequences called "frameshift signals" or other regulatory factors.