What is the Difference Between Protein Synthesis in Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main differences between protein synthesis in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms are as follows:
- mRNA Structure: In prokaryotes, mRNA is polycistronic, meaning it may carry several genes that are translated into multiple proteins. In contrast, eukaryotic mRNA is monocistronic, carrying only a single gene that is translated into a single protein.
- Transcription and Translation: Prokaryotic protein synthesis occurs simultaneously with transcription, while eukaryotic protein synthesis takes place after the transcription of the mRNA molecule is completed.
- Translation Initiation: Eukaryotic translation initiation is cap-dependent, while prokaryotic translation initiation is cap-independent and can be cap-dependent.
- mRNA Stability: mRNA in eukaryotes is more stable compared to prokaryotes, with a lifespan ranging from a few hours to days, while prokaryotic mRNA typically lasts for only a few seconds to 2 minutes.
- Ribosomes: Prokaryotic translation occurs on 70S ribosomes, while eukaryotic translation occurs on 80S ribosomes.
- Synthesis Speed: Prokaryotic protein synthesis is generally faster than eukaryotic protein synthesis, as it can begin even before the transcription of the mRNA molecule is completed.
- Translation Phase: Prokaryotic protein synthesis does not have a definite phase, while eukaryotic protein synthesis occurs during the G1 and G2 phases of the cell cycle.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Protein Synthesis in Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic? Comparative Table: Protein Synthesis in Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic
Comparative Table: Protein Synthesis in Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic
The main differences between protein synthesis in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells can be summarized in the following table:
Feature | Prokaryotic Protein Synthesis | Eukaryotic Protein Synthesis |
---|---|---|
Location | Cytoplasm | Cytoplasm, and rough endoplasmic reticulum |
mRNA | Polycistronic, containing the coding sequence of several genes | Monocistronic, containing the coding sequence only for one polypeptide |
Transcription | Coupled transcription-translation, begins before mRNA transcription is completed | Discontinuous translation and transcription |
mRNA Processing | No introns in the majority of genes (except for archaebacteria) | Most genes have introns |
Initiation Factors | Fewer initiation factors (no more than 3) | More initiation factors (usually 9) |
5' Cap | No cap on bacterial mRNA | 5' cap initiates translation by binding mRNA to small ribosomal subunit |
Translation Start | Begins at AUG codon preceded by a special nucleotide sequence | Begins at AUG codon |
Formylation | The first amino acid methionine is not formylated | The first amino acid methionine is formylated into N-formyl methionine |
Poly A Tail | No poly A tail is added to bacterial mRNA | Poly A tail formed of about 200 adenine nucleotides is added at the 3' end of mRNA |
Stability of mRNA | Unstable (a few seconds to 2 minutes) | Stable (a few hours to days) |
In summary, prokaryotic protein synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm, involves polycistronic mRNA, and begins before mRNA transcription is completed. In contrast, eukaryotic protein synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm and rough endoplasmic reticulum, involves monocistronic mRNA, and has a discontinuous translation and transcription process.
Read more:
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Translation
- Eukaryotic vs Prokaryotic
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Ribosomes
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic mRNA
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Translation Initiation
- Gene Expression in Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Transcription
- Eukaryotic Cells vs Prokaryotic Cells
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic DNA
- Genetic Material of Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic DNA Replication
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Genome
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cell Division
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic RNA Polymerase
- Eukaryotic vs Prokaryotic Promoters
- Bacteria vs Eukaryotes
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Topoisomerase
- Protein Synthesis vs DNA Replication
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Flagella