Following the nucleotide numbering, tape the pieces into a long strip. The blank grey tabs should be hidden. Make slits in-between each double line (16 total). Be careful not to cut through the entire strip. Fold back ("mountain fold") on the horizontal dashed lines Fold in ("valley fold") on the small vertical dotted lines. Bring together bases G19 and C56 (colored yellow) to form a base pair – hide the grey tab by taping it under. This forms the beginnings of the tRNA tertiary structure– the inverted L-shape. To further explore details of tertiary structure see the atomic model of tRNA at bit.ly/HVzIoH Molecular Models: Exploring the Structure of tRNA www.rcsb.org • info@rcsb.org I. The primary structure II. The secondary structure III. The tertiary structure 1. 10-13 with 25-22 2. 27-31 with 43-39 3. 49-53 with 65-61 4. 1-7 with 72-66 Bring colored/patterned sections together, and tape so the grey tab is hidden. It is important that you match the bases in the following order: Notice the almost-perfect base pairing (G:C and A:U bases pair up). At this point the model is a cloverleaf shape– the secondary structure of tRNA. Each colored region represents the double helical regions of the structure. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 or or or or What is tRNA? Transfer RNA (tRNA)1 "translates" the genetic code into the language of proteins. Each tRNA molecule binds to a specific amino acid on the acceptor arm, recognizes its corresponding code on the mRNA through the anticodon loop region and delivers the amino acid to a growing peptide chain in the ribosome2 for protein synthesis. 1. See the Molecule of the Month feature at doi: 10.2210/rcsb_pdb/mom_2001_3 2. See the Molecule of the Month feature at doi: 10.2210/rcsb_pdb/mom_2010_1 Cut out each piece, leaving the grey tabs intact. bases phosphodiester backbone sugars phosphates nucleotide numbering Acceptor arm D-arm TΨC arm Anticodon arm Anticodon Anticodon Acceptor Instructions for Building the Paper Model of tRNA Acceptor Arm Anticodon Loop Additional information about this activity can be found at: bit.ly/HVzIoH Molecular Models: Exploring the Structure of tRNA www.rcsb.org • info@rcsb.orgAdditional information about this activity can be found at: bit.ly/HVzIoH tRNA Model Template for Reproduction in Black Molecular Models: Exploring the Structure of tRNA www.rcsb.org • info@rcsb.orgAdditional information about this activity can be found at: bit.ly/HVzIoH tRNA Model Template for Reproduction in Color