tRNA
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Biology
| Stands for | Transfer RNA |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
tRNA stands for Transfer RNA, a biology abbreviation.
Small RNA molecule, usually 76 to 90 nucleotides long, that delivers a specific amino acid to the ribosome during protein synthesis. Its anticodon loop pairs with a matching codon on messenger RNA, so tRNAs physically translate the genetic code.
Example: Each tRNA folds into an L-shape, with the anticodon at one end and the amino acid attached at the other.
Usage notes
Robert Holley determined the first tRNA sequence, from yeast, in 1965 and shared the 1968 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Drawn flat, tRNA has a characteristic cloverleaf shape. Enzymes called aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases load each tRNA with the correct amino acid; errors in this step can cause disease.
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