The term "tRNAGly" refers to a type of transfer RNA molecule that carries the amino acid glycine during protein synthesis. The spelling of "Gly" in this term is based on the three-letter abbreviation for glycine in the genetic code. Its pronunciation can be transcribed with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /tiː ɑːr ɛn eɪ dʒi laɪ/. This phonetic transcription indicates that the first letter "t" is pronounced as the voiced dental fricative /ð/, while the rest of the letters are pronounced as their corresponding phonemes.
tRNAGly, also known as transfer RNA glycine, is a specific type of small RNA molecule that plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. It is a component of the genetic machinery that helps translate the genetic information encoded in DNA into proteins, which are the building blocks of life.
tRNAGly belongs to a family of molecules called transfer RNA (tRNA), which are primarily responsible for carrying specific amino acids to the ribosomes during translation. Each tRNA molecule is uniquely designed to bind to a specific amino acid and transport it to the ribosome, where they are assembled into a polypeptide chain.
The naming convention of tRNAGly signifies that it carries the amino acid glycine. Its structure consists of a cloverleaf-like shape, formed by hydrogen bonding between specific sections of the RNA molecule. At one end of the tRNA, there is an anticodon loop that recognizes and binds to the corresponding codon present on the messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, ensuring the correct amino acid is added to the growing protein chain.
The precise recognition and binding ability of tRNAGly are crucial for the accurate translation of the genetic code. Without functional tRNAGly molecules, errors in protein synthesis may occur, leading to potentially severe consequences for cellular function and overall organismal health.
Overall, tRNAGly is an essential component of the protein synthesis machinery and plays a vital role in maintaining proper cellular function by accurately delivering glycine amino acid during translation.
The acronym "tRNAGly" stands for transfer RNA for glycine. Each part of the acronym has its own etymology.
The "tRNA" portion stands for transfer RNA. The "t" represents "transfer", indicating its role in transferring amino acids during protein synthesis. The "RNA" stands for ribonucleic acid, which is the type of molecule that tRNA is made of. The term "RNA" originates from the phrase "ribonucleic acid", which was coined by scientists Robert W. Holley, Har Gobind Khorana, and Marshall W. Nirenberg in 1957.
The "Gly" part of the acronym stands for glycine, one of the 20 commonly occurring amino acids in proteins. The word "glycine" comes from the Greek word "glukus", meaning sweet, because glycine has a sweet taste.