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One of the ribosome’s tricks is translocation, the movement of an mRNA codon with its bound tRNA from one site to another within the ribosome. This needs to happen each time a codon is read out, in order to make room for the next tRNA to enter.
Thomas R. Cech • The Catalyst: RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life's Deepest Secrets
RNA molecules are not transcribed from DNA in their final active form. Instead, they undergo processing before they are put to work.
Thomas R. Cech • The Catalyst: RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life's Deepest Secrets
It turns out that tracrRNA performs two important tasks. First, it facilitates the making of the crRNA, the sequence that carries the memory of a virus that previously attacked the bacteria. Then it serves as a handle to latch on to the invading virus so that the crRNA can target the right spot for the Cas9 enzyme to chop.
Walter Isaacson • The Code Breaker
is the first to assemble with the mRNA. Then the large subunit
Thomas R. Cech • The Catalyst: RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life's Deepest Secrets
The purpose of studying the ribosome was to understand protein synthesis, and, as we’ve already learned, the ribosome doesn’t make protein all by itself. It needs mRNA to specify which protein gets made, and it needs tRNAs to bring in the matching amino acids.