During translation, a stop codon (UAA, UAG, or UGA) signals the end of protein synthesis. When a ribosome encounters a stop codon, it does not bind to a tRNA molecule (which carries amino acids); instead, a protein known as a release factor (RF) is bound to the stop codon.
In eukaryotes, there are two main release factors: eRF1, which recognizes all three stop codons, and eRF3, which helps eRF1 in its function. In prokaryotes, the release factors are designated RF1 and RF2. These release factors facilitate the termination of translation by promoting the release of the newly synthesized polypeptide chain from the ribosome.
So, the type of molecule bound to a stop codon during translation is a release factor.
1 answer