The term "tRNA Synthetase" is a compound word that consists of two parts: "tRNA" and "synthetase". The first part, "tRNA", is commonly pronounced as /tiː ɑːr ɛn eɪ/, while the second part, "synthetase", is pronounced as /sɪn θəteɪz/. The suffix "-ase" indicates that it is an enzyme, while "synthet" refers to its function in synthesizing aminoacyl-tRNA molecules. Accurate spelling of the word requires attention to the proper use of capitalization and the placement of the hyphen.
tRNA synthetase, also known as aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase, is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. It is responsible for the attachment of a specific amino acid to its corresponding transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule, ensuring accurate translation of the genetic code.
The process of protein synthesis requires a specific amino acid to be attached to its respective tRNA molecule before it can be incorporated into the growing polypeptide chain. This is where tRNA synthetase plays a crucial role. This enzyme catalyzes the aminoacylation or charging of tRNA molecules by covalently binding a specific amino acid to the 3' end of the tRNA through an ester bond.
There are 20 different types of tRNA synthetases, one for each of the 20 naturally occurring amino acids. Each tRNA synthetase recognizes its specific amino acid and the corresponding tRNA molecule based on the anticodon sequence, ensuring fidelity in matching the correct amino acid with the correct tRNA.
The aminoacylated tRNA is then used by the ribosome during translation, where it accurately matches the codon on the messenger RNA (mRNA) with the corresponding amino acid, leading to the synthesis of a specific protein.
Overall, tRNA synthetase is a vital enzyme in protein synthesis. It ensures the accurate attachment of amino acids to their respective tRNA molecules, contributing to the fidelity and specificity of the genetic code.
The word "tRNA synthetase" is composed of two parts: "tRNA" and "synthetase".
1. "tRNA": This stands for "transfer ribonucleic acid". The term "transfer" indicates that tRNA is responsible for carrying specific amino acids to the ribosomes during protein synthesis. The term "ribonucleic acid" refers to the type of nucleic acid molecule that tRNA is made of.
2. "Synthetase": This word is derived from the stem "synthet-" which comes from the Greek word "synthesis" meaning "putting together" or "combination". The suffix "-ase" denotes an enzyme, which is a type of protein that catalyzes chemical reactions. Therefore, a "synthetase" is an enzyme that is involved in synthesizing or combining molecules.