An aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS or ARS), also called tRNA-ligase, is an enzyme that attaches the appropriate amino acid onto its corresponding tRNA. Aminoacyl tRNA therefore plays an important role in RNA translation, the expression of genes to create proteins.

Molecules of tRNA typically contain fewer than 100 nucleotide units and fold into a characteristic cloverleaf structure. Specialized tRNAs exist for each of the 20 amino acids needed for protein synthesis, and in many cases more than one tRNA for each amino acid is present.

The purpose of transfer RNA, or tRNA, is to bring amino acids to the ribosome for protein production. To make sure that the amino acids are added to the protein in a specific order, the tRNA reads the codons from the messenger RNA or mRNA.

What is the function of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase? Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase hydrolyzes ATP in order to add an amino acid to the CCA sequence at the 3′-end of tRNA. This process is known as charging and the tRNA is considered charged.

The tRNA that has given up its amino acid is released. It can then bind to another molecule of the amino acid and be used again later in the protein-making process.

Polypeptides often need some “edits.” During and after translation, amino acids may be chemically altered or removed. The new polypeptide will also fold into a distinct 3D structure, and may join with other polypeptides to make a multi-part protein.

The function of tRNA is to bring the amino acids and place them in the correct potsition to create the desired protein. The ribosomes are made up of rRNA and proteins. There are actually 2 subunits to each ribosome. Their function is to “clamp” the mRNA in place so it’s code can be read and translated.

Synthesis of tRNA In eukaryotic cells, tRNA are made by a special protein that reads the DNA code and makes an RNA copy, or pre-tRNA. This process is called transcription and for making tRNA, it’s done by RNA polymerase III. Pre-tRNA are processed once they leave the nucleus.

Protein synthesis is the process in which cells make proteins. It occurs in two stages: transcription and translation. Translation occurs at the ribosome, which consists of rRNA and proteins. In translation, the instructions in mRNA are read, and tRNA brings the correct sequence of amino acids to the ribosome.

The result of protein synthesis is a chain of amino acids that have been attached, link by link, in a specific order. When a polypeptide chain folds, it is called a protein. Polypeptide chains are formed during the translation process of protein synthesis.