Protein Syntheses

Transfer or soluble RNAs are specific carrier molecules for amino-acids during protein synthesis on ribosomes with ribosomal RNA as the template. There is at least one t-RNA molecule for each amino-acid. 

Genes are DNA and carry the inheritable characteristics of an organism and these characteristics are normally expressed at the molecular level via protein synthesis Gene expression consists of two stages transcription and translation, both of which involve RNAs Sections 28 11 and 28 12 describe these RNAs and their roles m transcription and translation... 

As described in the preceding sections protein synthesis involves transcription of the DNA to rtiRNA followed by translation of the mRNA as an amino acid sequence In addition to outlining the mechanics of transcription we have described the relationship among mRNA codons tRNA anticodons and ammo acids... 

Transactivation. Protein synthesis is initiated or inhibited by the action of the activated GR on DNA. The use of glucocorticoids leads to antiinflammatory effects by first controlling gene expression, which subsequentiy leads to the synthesis and/or suppression of inflammation regulatory proteins. 

Economic Aspects. Halocarbon Products Corp. is the largest producer of trifluoroacetic acid. The commercial grade is of very high purity with the main impurity being ca 0.2% water. A grade, which has a low residue specification, intended for use in protein synthesis (Biograde) is available. Other producers include Rhc ne-Poulenc and Solvay. The 1992 price was ca 15/kg. 

Many human diseases are caused when certain proteins are either over- or underexpressed. Eor example, breast cancer can be induced by overexpressing certain cellular oncogenes within mammary tissue. To study the disease, researchers produce a line of transgenic mice that synthesize an abnormal amount of the same protein. This leads to symptoms of the disease in mice that are similar to what is found in humans. A protein can be overexpressed by inserting a DNA constmct with a strong promotor. Conversely, underexpression of a protein can be achieved by inserting a DNA constmct that makes antisense RNA. This latter blocks protein synthesis because the antisense RNA binds and inactivates the sense mRNA that codes for the protein. Once a line of mice is developed, treatments are studied in mice before these therapies are appHed to humans. 

Mechanism of Action. P-Agonists stimulate skeletal muscle growth by accelerating rates of fiber hypertrophy and protein synthesis, but generally do not alter muscle DNA content in parallel with the increases in protein accretion (133—135). This is in contrast to the effects of anaboHc steroids and ST on skeletal muscle growth. Both of the latter stimulate fiber hypertrophy and muscle protein synthesis, but also increase muscle DNA content coincident with increased protein accretion. Whether the P-agonists decrease muscle protein degradation is equivocal. 

Those herbicides that block mitotic entry decrease or prevent the formation of mitotic figures in meristems. Amino acid, protein, RNA, DNA, and ATP synthesis and/or utilization can all attest cell growth (163,166). Although not registered as herbicides, cycloheximide [66-81-9] inhibits mitotic entry by inhibiting protein synthesis (167) hydroxyurea/727-(97-/7 inhibits DNA synthesis (168) and actinomycin D [50-76-0] nh2oix.s RNA synthesis (167). 

Estrogens stimulate cellular proliferation, induce RNA and protein synthesis of uterine endometrium and the fibrous connective tissue framework for ovaries, and increase the size of the cells. This effect leads to the growth and regeneration of the endometrial layer and spinal arterioles, and increase in the number and size of endometrial glands. Under the influence of estrogen, vaginal mucosa becomes thicker, as cervical mucus becomes thinner (85,86). 

Metabolic Functions. The functions of the thyroid hormones and thus of iodine are control of energy transductions (121). These hormones increase oxygen consumption and basal metaboHc rate by accelerating reactions in nearly all cells of the body. A part of this effect is attributed to increase in activity of many enzymes. Additionally, protein synthesis is affected by the thyroid hormones (121,122). 

Potassium is required for enzyme activity in a few special cases, the most widely studied example of which is the enzyme pymvate kinase. In plants it is required for protein and starch synthesis. Potassium is also involved in water and nutrient transport within and into the plant, and has a role in photosynthesis. Although sodium and potassium are similar in their inorganic chemical behavior, these ions are different in their physiological activities. In fact, their functions are often mutually antagonistic. For example, increases both the respiration rate in muscle tissue and the rate of protein synthesis, whereas inhibits both processes (42). 

Amino acids are the main components of proteins. Approximately twenty amino acids are common constituents of proteins (1) and are called protein amino acids, or primary protein amino acids because they are found in proteins as they emerge from the ribosome in the translation process of protein synthesis (2), or natural amino acids. In 1820 the simplest amino acid, glycine, was isolated from gelatin (3) the most recendy isolated, of nutritional importance, is L-threonine which was found (4) in 1935 to be a growth factor of rats. The history of the discoveries of the amino acids has been reviewed... 

Cellular protein biosynthesis involves the following steps. One strand of double-stranded DNA serves as a template strand for the synthesis of a complementary single-stranded messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in a process called transcription. This mRNA in turn serves as a template to direct the synthesis of the protein in a process called translation. The codons of the mRNA are read sequentially by transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, which bind specifically to the mRNA via triplets of nucleotides that are complementary to the particular codon, called an anticodon. Protein synthesis occurs on a ribosome, a complex consisting of more than 50 different proteins and several stmctural RNA molecules, which moves along the mRNA and mediates the binding of the tRNA molecules and the formation of the nascent peptide chain. The tRNA molecule carries an activated form of the specific amino acid to the ribosome where it is added to the end of the growing peptide chain. There is at least one tRNA for each amino acid. 

Apphcations include ka olin clay dewatering, separation of fish oils from press Hquor, starch and gluten concentration, clarification of wet-process phosphoric acid, tar sands, and concentrations of yeast, bacteria, and fungi from growth media in protein synthesis (14). 

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