Common name translation and transcription molecules?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the terminology used to describe the collective molecules involved in protein synthesis, specifically in the processes of transcription and translation. Participants explore the differences between the terms used for DNA replication and protein synthesis machinery.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant identifies the term "replisome" for DNA replication and seeks a similar term for protein synthesis machinery.
  • Another participant suggests "protein synthetic machinery" as a potential term for searching.
  • A later post elaborates on the distinction between the complexes involved in DNA replication and those in protein synthesis, noting that transcription and translation occur in separate cellular compartments in eukaryotes.
  • The role of RNA polymerase II in transcription and the function of the ribosome in translation are mentioned as key components of the protein synthesis process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a specific term for the collective molecules involved in protein synthesis, and multiple viewpoints on terminology and processes are presented.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of protein synthesis, including the involvement of various complexes and the compartmentalization of transcription and translation in eukaryotic cells. There are unresolved aspects regarding the terminology and the specific roles of different molecular complexes.

icakeov
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The molecules that replicate DNA are collectively called "replisome".

Is there a similar term for all the molecules that synthesize proteins (both through translation and transcription)? Short of, of course, "protein synthesizers".

I can't seem to find the term, any feedback appreciated!
 
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"Protein synthetic machinery" seems to work for searching.
 
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Great, thanks BillTre!
 
The replisome is termed such because many of the components involved in DNA replication come together in time and space to form a complex of different proteins to carry out DNA replication. In contrast, the two steps of protein synthesis, transcription and translation, are carried out by distinct complexes (in fact, in eukaryotic cells, these two processes are carried out in completely separate compartments of the cell, with transcription occurring in the nucleus and translation occurring in the cytoplasm).

In eukaryotes, RNA polymerase II (itself a multiprotein complex) carries out transcription to produce mRNAs. During transcription, pol II (mainly thorugh its C-terminal domain) will recruit various other complexes (e.g. the spliceosome) to carry out the various RNA processing steps required for a pre-mRNA to be converted to a mature mRNA. Translation is carried out by the large protein-RNA complex called the ribosome.
 
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