fehérjekódolást

Fehérjekódolás, also known as protein synthesis, is the biological process by which cells build proteins. This complex process involves two main stages: transcription and translation. Transcription occurs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, where a DNA sequence is copied into a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule. This mRNA molecule then travels out of the nucleus into the cytoplasm.

Translation takes place in the cytoplasm, specifically on ribosomes. Here, the genetic code carried by the mRNA is read in three-nucleotide units called codons. Each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, each carrying a specific amino acid, recognize and bind to the corresponding codons on the mRNA. As the ribosome moves along the mRNA, amino acids are linked together in the order specified by the codons, forming a polypeptide chain. This polypeptide chain then folds into a specific three-dimensional structure to become a functional protein.

The sequence of amino acids is determined by the sequence of nucleotides in the gene. This genetic information is universally conserved across most living organisms. Errors in the DNA sequence, known as mutations, can lead to changes in the amino acid sequence of a protein, potentially altering its function or causing disease. Fehérjekódolás is essential for virtually all cellular functions, from enzyme activity and structural support to signaling and transport.