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NF449

NF449, also known as N-formylmethionyl-tRNAfMet, is a specialized form of tRNA that plays a crucial role in the initiation of protein synthesis in bacteria and archaea. Unlike the standard tRNA, which carries an amino acid and is used throughout the elongation phase of translation, NF449 carries the amino acid methionine and is specifically involved in the initiation of protein synthesis.

The NF449 molecule is unique in that it contains a formyl group (-CHO) attached to the amino

NF449 is synthesized by a specific enzyme called methionyl-tRNA formyltransferase, which catalyzes the transfer of the

The NF449 molecule is not found in eukaryotes, as their initiation of protein synthesis occurs through a

group
of
the
methionine.
This
formyl
group
is
essential
for
the
proper
initiation
of
translation,
as
it
allows
the
ribosome
to
recognize
and
bind
to
the
start
codon
(usually
AUG)
at
the
5'
end
of
the
mRNA.
Once
the
ribosome
is
correctly
positioned
at
the
start
codon,
the
formyl
group
is
removed,
and
the
methionine
is
incorporated
into
the
growing
polypeptide
chain.
formyl
group
from
10-formyltetrahydrofolate
to
the
amino
group
of
methionine
on
the
tRNA.
This
enzyme
is
a
key
component
of
the
initiation
factor
IF2,
which
is
involved
in
the
recruitment
of
the
initiator
tRNA
to
the
ribosome.
different
mechanism
involving
the
cap
structure
of
the
mRNA
and
the
initiator
methionyl-tRNAiMet.
The
absence
of
NF449
in
eukaryotes
highlights
the
evolutionary
divergence
in
the
initiation
of
protein
synthesis
between
prokaryotes
and
eukaryotes.