Consider translation of the following mRNA sequence: 5′-...AUGCAGAUCCAUGCCUAUUGA...-3′ What is the anticodon triplet sequence of the next tRNA to interact with mRNA?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the mRNA codon sequence that the next tRNA will interact with. The sequence is read in sets of three nucleotides, known as codons.
2. Locate the start codon (AUG) and proceed to read the mRNA sequence in triplets. The sequence given is 5′-...AUG CAG AUC CAU GCC UAU UGA...-3′.
3. Determine the next codon after the start codon (AUG). In this sequence, the next codon is CAG.
4. Find the complementary anticodon for the mRNA codon CAG. Remember that anticodons are complementary to mRNA codons and are read in the 3′ to 5′ direction.
5. The anticodon for the mRNA codon CAG is GUC, as G pairs with C, U pairs with A, and C pairs with G.

Key Concepts

mRNA and Codons

mRNA, or messenger RNA, is a single-stranded nucleic acid that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized. Codons are sequences of three nucleotides in mRNA that correspond to specific amino acids or stop signals during translation. Understanding the codon sequence is essential for determining which tRNA will bind to the mRNA.

tRNA and Anticodons

Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a type of RNA that helps decode mRNA sequences into proteins. Each tRNA molecule has an anticodon, a triplet of nucleotides that is complementary to a specific mRNA codon. The interaction between the tRNA anticodon and the mRNA codon ensures that the correct amino acid is added to the growing polypeptide chain during translation.

Complementary Base Pairing

Complementary base pairing refers to the specific pairing of nucleotide bases in nucleic acids, where adenine (A) pairs with uracil (U) in RNA, and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G). This principle is crucial for the accurate pairing of tRNA anticodons with mRNA codons, allowing for the correct translation of genetic information into proteins.