Transfer RNAs (tRNAs)

tRNAs are RNA molecules that provide the means of translating the genetic code. One end of the tRNA contains a three nucleotide sequence called the anticodon loop that is complementary to the codon of the mRNA. The other end of the tRNA is covalently attached to a specific amino acid. Since the amino acid carried by a tRNA is specific for each anticodon and each anticodon is complementary to the codons in mRNA, the tRNA provide the link between nucleic acid sequence and amino acid sequence for a protein during translation. This process, which occurs on ribosomes, incorporates a sequence of amino acids corresponding to the sequential series of codons in the mRNA.

See also: Structure of tRNAs, Figure 27.6, Figure 5.20, Figure 4.27, Figure 4.20, , Translation Overview (from Chapter 27), Figure 27.11, Stringent Response, Posttranscriptional Processing of rRNA and tRNA

INTERNET LINKS:

1. Small RNA Database

2. The RNA World

3. RNA Modification Database

4. tRNA Sequence Database