Final answer:
Aminoacylation, also known as the charging of tRNA, is the process where an amino acid is first activated and then transferred to the tRNA. It involves the formation of an aminoacyl-adenylate and is catalyzed by specific enzymes known as aminoacyl tRNA synthetases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aminoacylation in Protein Synthesis
The process described in the question is part of protein synthesis, where an amino acid is first activated and subsequently attached to its corresponding tRNA molecule.
This two-step process involves the formation of an aminoacyl-adenylate intermediate, often referred to as an aminoacyl-AMP, and then the transfer of the activated amino acid to the tRNA.
The correct end of the tRNA is determined by the ribose sugar's 3'-OH or 2'-OH group availability for ester bond formation. The correct term for the provided description is aminoacylation, but it is also known as charging of the tRNA.
During aminoacylation:
- An amino acid binds to a specific aminoacyl tRNA synthetase along with ATP.
- ATP is hydrolyzed, and AMP is linked to the amino acid forming an enzyme-AMP-amino acid complex.
- The amino acid is transferred to the 3' end of the tRNA that has the ACC sequence, and AMP is released.
This 'charged' tRNA can now participate in the synthesis of proteins during translation. It's important to note that this is not to be confused with the process of transamination, which involves the transfer of an amino group from an amino acid to a keto acid.
Each of the 20 amino acids has at least one specific aminoacyl tRNA synthetase enzyme that catalyzes its corresponding charging reaction.