Proteins control nearly all the reactions in a cell, as well as sending signals to other cells in the human body, and providing the cells with structure. This is why sometimes proteins are called the “workhorses” of cells ( Golan, 2011). Proteins are also part of the long chain of amino acids and the sequence of amino acids found in the protein determine how the final structure of the protein and its function will be like. Protein synthesis is, therefore, the process through which specific cells make their proteins. It is, therefore, a fundamental process in the human body because it determines the specific function and structure of the protein.
The Protein Synthesis Process
Protein synthesis is made up of three steps through which amino acids brought in the cell by messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) successively grow in chains, then the ribosomes read them into units called codons, which are finally unbound for processing in the final stage. The stages include initiation, elongation, and termination ( Golan, 2011).
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Initiation Stage
This is the first step of protein synthesis in humans whereby, it is essential for the ribosome to bind with the mRNA to find the right place to translate it so that it can make the protein. This is essential because if the ribosome translates the mRNA in the wrong location, then the wrong protein is synthesized. A codon is a genetic code that constitutes three codes and bases of amino acids. This is why the ribosomes have to find the right location to translate the mRNA because if not, the ribosomes will start reading out completely wrong or different protein sequences ( Mazoyer et al., 2003). Translation of the amino acids normally commences at the 3-base codon whereby the codon codes for the amino acid methionine. The ribosome is made up of two subunits which both contain RNA and protein. The smaller subunit of the ribosome locates the AUG codon which is normally used in the starting point of translation. The smaller subunit then binds to the mRNA which is aided by the 7-methylguanosine. Initiation factor proteins then bind the 7-methylguanosine cap and tail. The smaller subunit then undergoes a scanning process whereby it locates the initiation codon binds it in the correct location ( Golan, 2011).
Elongation Process
This is the second stage of protein synthesis whereby the amino acids are joined together by the ribosomes in a sequence that is normally determined mRNA to make the right protein. This is then followed by decoding whereby tRNA bases of the anticodon are paired with the mRNA codon bases. When this happens, the ribosome and the protein responsible for elongation determine whether the tRNA has been attached to the correct amino acid, then adds the amino acid into the growing chain of protein and this process repeats itself until the whole protein has been synthesized ( Welle, 2009). Selecting of the correct amino acid to attach to the tRNA takes place in the A site when decoding of the genetic code takes place, selecting the correct aminoacyl tRNA which matches the next codon, and so on. As soon as the A site is filled with the right tRNA, the amino acids are linked to the peptide chain by the ribosomes, and the elongation process continues.
Protein Termination Process
This is the final stage of protein synthesis, and it has a few sub-processes in between. In this stage, some protein factors called RFs are released to make sure that the protein performs the specific function in the cell. The two subunits of the ribosome then dissociate from one another to ensure that the ribosomes start translating another mRNA. Once the dissociation takes place, the translation process begins again. The other sub-processes of this stage include protein folding, modification and degradation. The protein folding ensures that the protein conforms to a particular shape to perform its function in the cell efficiently. Protein degradation is when the protein outlives its function in the cell hence destroyed by the cell itself, and the process of protein synthesis begins again ( Welle, 2009).
Importance of Protein Synthesis in Humans
Protein synthesis is a fundamental process in humans because every function performed by the cells is regulated or performed by proteins. Many functions that happen in the human body including respiration is also aided by protein synthesis. Without protein synthesis, human beings would not have muscular contractions hence they would not be able to move or perform any actions or activities ( Golan, 2011). This is because protein synthesis allows for proteins that make up the cells in the human body to change shape, which consequently lead to muscular contractions which aid in movement. Without protein synthesis in humans, life itself would be very small, and it probably would not exist because RNA and DNA can only be replicated by enzymes, which require protein synthesis.
In summary, protein synthesis is fundamental for any life to exist, be it human, plant life, or for other organisms. Protein synthesis, especially in humans, leads to the formation of these types of proteins: enzymes, DNA, antibodies, structural proteins, transport proteins, hormones etc. ( Bostwick & Wingerd 2013). Therefore, the human body basically depends on protein synthesis for it to perform any particular function. This is an indication of how essential that protein synthesis is in human life.
References
Bostwick, T. P., & Wingerd, B. D. (2013). The human body, concepts of anatomy and physiology, 3rd edition, Bruce Wingerd . Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Golan, D. E. (2011). Principles of pharmacology: The pathophysiologic basis of drug therapy . Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Mazoyer, B. M., Heiss, W.-D., Comar, D., & European Economic Community. (2003). PET studies of amino acid metabolism and protein synthesis: Proceedings of workshop held in Lyon, France within the framework of the European Community medical and public health research . Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Welle, S. (2009). Human Protein Metabolism. Newyork, NY. Springer New York.
