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AAT Bioquest

What does ATP do in protein synthesis?

Posted February 24, 2023


Answer

ATP has several key functions during protein synthesis. ATP is necessary for the recycling of nucleotides used in mRNA synthesis, for adding a specific amino acid to tRNA molecules, for charging aminoacyl-tRNAs, for ATP-dependent RNA (Dead box) helicase activity, for creating more GTP for translation factors in peptide bond formation, and for chaperones. GTP is necessary for translation initiation, as well as elongation and termination to occur. Dead box RNA helicase is ATP dependent, and is required for unwinding mRNA secondary structure. Several chaperones (e.g. DnAK, Hsp60, naK, Hsp70) are also ATP dependent. Thus, ATP has more than one role in protein synthesis. ATP contributes to the overall metabolic system for protein.

Additional resources

ATP Synthesis and Storage

ReadiUse™ TCA Deproteinization Sample Preparation Kit

PhosphoWorks™ Luminometric ATP Assay Kit *DTT-Free*