Could someone please explain amino activation and its significance as regards to protein synthesis?
The activation of amino acids is the first step of protein synthesis (Translation). There are 20 amino acids commonly found in proteins, so first these are sorted based on which isomer form they are present. D isomers are elimimated as only the L amino acids take part in protein synthesis. Some amino acids are not used in protein synthesis such as citrulline, alanine, β alanine, etc. are also eliminated. The activation of amino acids takes place through their carboxyl groups. Each amino acid (aa) is catalysed by its own specific activating enzyme, called aminoacyl tRNA synthetase, to form an aminoacyl adenylate (aaa) (aminoacyl AMP) in the presence of ATP. A high energy acyl bond is formed between the α-phosphate of A TP and the carboxyl group of the amino acid. This amino acyl AMP complex binds to tRNA and proceed for protein synthesis. amino acid + ATP → aminoacyl-AMP + PPi aminoacyl-AMP + tRNA → aminoacyl-tRNA + AMP The activation of amino acid is ATP dependent reaction and it cause
