Question

Suppose that a cytoplasmic protein (a protein that will function in the cytoplasm inside of the cell) is synthesized by a particular cell type. Describe the route that this protein will take from the moment its synthesis starts in the nucleus until it makes it into the cytoplasm.

Answer 1

A specific gene that contains the information to encode the target protein is transcribed as a primary transcript (pre-mRNA). Subsequently, the pre-mRNA is processed to form a mature mRNA. Finally, this mRNA then moves through a nuclear pore from the nucleus to the cytoplasm where proteins are translated in the ribosomes

Step-by-step explanation:

The cell nucleus contains the majority of the cell's genetic material localized on linear molecules called chromosomes. During transcription, genes (specific chromosome segments) are used to synthesize primary transcripts (pre-mRNAs) which are then proceeded to produce mature messenger RNAs (mRNAs). RNA processing involves the removal of non-coding intron regions and the joining of coding exon regions (RNA splicing) in order to form a mature mRNA sequence. Subsequently, the mature mRNA leaves the nucleus through the nuclear pores of the nuclear membrane and travels to the ribosomes where is decoded (translated) to produce a specific polypeptide chain (i.e., a protein). Within the ribosome, the mRNA strand binds to multiple transfer ribonucleic acids (tRNAs) via complementary and consecutive three-nucleotide mRNA sequences called triplets or codons, and tRNAs deliver specific amino acids that are consecutively added to the polypeptide chain.