Posttranslationaler
Posttranslationaler is a German term that translates to "post-translational" in English. It refers to modifications that occur to a protein after it has been synthesized through the process of translation. Translation is the biological process where messenger RNA (mRNA) is decoded by a ribosome to produce a specific sequence of amino acids, forming a polypeptide chain. Once this chain is formed, it is often not yet functional. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are chemical changes that happen to the polypeptide chain, altering its structure, function, or localization.
These modifications are crucial for a vast array of cellular processes. They can include the addition of