Protein Production According to the Instructions in DNA — Protein Synthesis: The Matchless Production System Recorded in DNA

Reading time: ~13 min read

Enzymes find the necessary information for the production of the proteins needed on the DNA and then divide in two the DNA with its spiral staircase shape in order to read it. They then produce a copy of the information in the required area of the DNA and bend the DNA in order to skip unnecessary parts. When all this reading has been completed, they close the DNA again and restore it to its former state. They perform all these extraordinary processes at the amazing speed of just one thousandth of a second.1 Since around 2,000 new proteins are produced every second in every cell in your body, you can easily see what miraculous properties enzymes possess. (1- Gerald L. Schroeder, The Hidden Face of God, Touchstone, New York, 2001.)

1. Nucleus
2. Nucleus Membrane
3. Inactive DNA Strip (uncopied)
4. Nucleus Pore
5. Copy DNA strip (copied)

6. Adenine
7. Guanine
8. Cytosine
9. Thymine
10. Uracil

Whenever the body needs any kind of protein, a message expressing that need reaches the DNA of the cell where that production is to be performed. There is a very important point here which needs to be borne in mind: when there is a need for any kind of protein in the body it is again certain messenger proteins know where they have to apply, are able to locate those sites in the entire body, and forward the message there in readable form. The protein enabling this communication finds it way without becoming lost in the dark interior of the bloodstream, and deposits its message without any part of it being lost or damaged. In short, we are looking at a considerable awareness and sense of responsibility.

The message reaching the cell nucleus forms the protein as the result of a series of complex and highly organized processes. The way that the demand for protein reaches the correct cells out of all the 100 trillion other cells in the body, how the cells understand what is required of them and immediately goes to work, and produce a perfect result are all phenomena that amaze scientists.

The genetic code in the DNA molecule is so programmed that only the cell itself is capable of knowing its content, its meaning, and how it will affect the body throughout its lifetime. However, these cells are merely masses of unconscious inanimate atoms. Under the direction of our Almighty Lord, Who regulates all things on the Earth and in the skies, processes that human beings are unable to carry out are performed in a perfect manner. In the Qur'an, Allah reveals that:

[Hud said,] "I have put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature He does not hold by the forelock. My Lord is on a Straight Path.' (Surah Hud, 56)

It is Allah Who created the seven heavens and of the Earth the same number, the Command descending down through all of them, so that you might know that Allah has power over all things and that Allah encompasses all things in His knowledge. (Surat at-Talaq, 12)

Protein molecules are produced in blocks, in much the same way that a house is built by bricks placed on top of one another. Every different protein is manufactured according to a specific blueprint. The particular amino acid sequence of each protein is determined according to the data recorded in the DNA. The deciphering of the DNA's genetic code, and protein production based on that information, take place in two main stages:

1- The synthesis of RNA from DNA (transcription)
2- The synthesis of protein from RNA (translation)

1- The synthesis of RNA from DNA (transcription):

The first stage in protein production is the synthesis of RNA. This process begins with the opening of the DNA helix. The bases adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine opposite one another in the DNA molecule combine in such a way as to join the two backbones and give rise to a helical structure. During the transcription phase, these bases let go of one another and the double helix of the DNA molecule begins separating, just like the two sides of a zipper.

As the DNA begins to unravel, a special protein known as RNA polymerase begins reading the DNA by traveling along it. During the course of this reading, new RNA is produced by the successive addition of the corresponding bases. This RNA being manufactured is messenger RNA (mRNA). The difference between mRNA and DNA is that instead of the base adenine being opposite thymine, a base known as uracil (represented by the letter U, for short) does so.

These bases are arranged in groups of three. The messenger RNA, whose production is now complete, is then subjected to a series of processes and separated from the DNA. In much the same way that a sculptor adjusts carved a statue right down to the finest detail, the cell directs a string of enzymes to adjust the crude RNA produced.

2- The synthesis of protein from RNA (translation):

The messenger RNA, whose adjustment processes completed, emerges from the nucleus and bonds an organelle known as the ribosome, the cell's energy-production plant. One feature of the messenger RNA molecule is that its bases are set out in groups of three, known as codons. The reading of these three-part groups begins after mRNA has bonded to the ribosome.

Another variety of RNA known as transporter RNA (Trna) which, during protein synthesis carry the amino acids that will make up the new proteins. Unlike the messenger RNA or DNA molecules, transporter RNA is not long, with only 15 to 20 base sequences. Also, its consecutive bases are bonded in such a way as to form a circle. There are two important regions in the transporter RNA link. The first is the region that permits recognition of the amino acids it will transport; the other region, known as the anti-codon, is consists of three bases that will attach to the mRNA.

The anti-codon in the transporter RNA attaches to the triple groups known as codons on the mRNA bonded to the ribosome. One after the other, the transporter RNA anti-codons bond to the codons on the messenger RNA and also bring with them amino acids. As the transporter RNAs attach to the codons, the attached amino acids begin bonding to one another. When hundreds or thousands of tRNAs are lined up alongside one another, the amino acids they bear are also lined up side by side and begin protein synthesis by constructing bonds with one another. At that point, the tRNA, whose work is done and that has discharged its load, breaks the bond with the mRNA and separates from the ribosome.

Protein Manufacture According toThe in formation in The Message is One of The Proofs of Cretion

1. Large Sub-Unit
2. Small Sub-unit
3. mRNA
4. Amino acid
5. tRNA
6. Anti-Codon
7. Ribosome

8. Second Codon
9. Main Codon
10. Peptide bond
11. Developing protein
12. The ribosome moves right along the mRNA.
13. Departing tRNA
14. Developing Protein

15. Departing Protein
16. Stop Codon
17. Completed Protein
18. Adenine
19. Cytosine
20. Guanine
21. Uracil

A) mRNA works together first with small sub-units of the ribosome, and then with larger ones. The ribosome units are then added on to one another.

B) A particular tRNA carries a particular amino acid.

C) The tRNA anti-codon attaches to the mRNA codon.

D) A subsequent tRNA moves forward, carrying an amino acid, to take up its place on the mRNA.

E) Amino acids are attached by a peptide bond, and the first tRNA departs.

F) The more amino acid is transported by the tRNA, the farther the protein extends.

G) The stop codon halts protein synthesis, and the protein is released.

H) Following protein synthesis, the ribosome units separate.

I) Summary of ribosome movement along the mRNA

A Giant Facility of Miniature Dimensions

The cell contains plant and construction plans for the manufacture of 200,000 types of protein. The functional differences between those proteins are at least as great as those between a plane and a television. From that point of view, there can be no comparison between the production variety in the cell and that in even the most technologically advanced environment.

* The production order is issued
When the body feels the need for any protein, a message expressing that need is sent to the DNA molecule in the nucleus of the cell that will carry out that production.

* The project details for production are received
Once the instruction is received, the first process is the selection and extraction from the DNA of the information concerning the protein needing to be produced.

*The project details are copied
The information concerning structural plan of the protein to be manufactured must be copied onto the messenger RNA (mRNA), once it has been found on the DNA molecule.

*Raw materials are taken to the production center
Once the mRNA bearing the protein data has been installed on the ribosome, the amino acid corresponding to the every code in the mRNA is taken to the ribosome by transfer (tRNA), and the raw materials are bonded to the relevant sites.

*The project details are translated
Information concerning the protein to be manufactured and the requisite raw materials are now ready. The production order is written in the DNA in a special language. However, the language expressing the production data from the DNA is not one that the amino acids can understand, so the one language must be translated into another.

* Production is completed
The ribosome completes the order demanded of it by the DNA according to the information reaching it.

* Quality control
Several enzymes work on the quality-control process that must take place during the manufacture of a single protein. These enzymes must possess a detailed knowledge of the protein and be aware of every stage of the production process.

* The production delivery is made
The proteins manufactured inside the cell are transported by very special means to where they will be used, or else stored until the time comes.

This event, here summarized in just a few lines, actually takes place as the result of even more complex intermediate processes. As one goes into greater detail, the miraculous processes seen go far beyond the bounds of human comprehension. How can the tiny cell, consisting of unconscious molecules, feel the need for production? How does it engage in production in the light of requirements? How can molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen atoms take precautionary measures? Of course, unconscious molecules themselves do not possess these abilities, but an Almighty Power causes the cell to take these decisions and to work in the light of them. It is Omniscient Allah, the Creator of all living things, Who creates these flawless systems, installs every detail in exactly the right place, and causes them all to work together in complete harmony.

During production, one single amino acid being added in the wrong place is enough to make a functionless protein molecule. Yet this process is carried out in a flawless manner in all living things. Every tRNA molecule serves as a transporter, carrying every amino acid to the predetermined site and ensuring that there is no impairment in the process. The molecular biologist Michael Denton notes this extraordinary organization:

If each target sequence used to label or address particular regions of the genome were not unambiguously unique, then chaos would inevitably ensure. The genome would resemble a filing cabinet with the same labels on different drawers.86

These actions –requiring immaculate discipline, awareness and responsibility– are a sign that these unconscious molecules have submitted to Omniscient and Almighty Allah and that they behave under His control. In one verse of the Qur'an it is revealed that:

Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of humanity, the King of humanity, the deity of humanity." (Surat an-Nas, 1-3)

RNA Polymerase: An Enyzme That Locates A Few Lines From Among Entire Encyclopedias of Data

1.RNA polymerase: the enzyme that makes the RNA molecule

2. The other complex proteins needed for the copying process

3.The DNA strips are separated for the copying process..

4. RNA polymerase moves right along the DNA.

When a particular protein needs to be manufactured, an enzyme by the name of RNA polymerase goes to the DNA, the cell's data bank, finds the information regarding the protein to be produced, and takes a copy of it. First it must select and extract the relevant letters for the protein to be manufactured from among the 3 billion letters comprising the DNA molecule. The way the polymerase enzyme extracts a few lines of data from those 3 billion letters resembles the instant location of a few lines in an encyclopedia of 1,000 pages with no description being provided.

The data regarding a single protein may sometimes be dispersed in different section of the DNA. For that reason, once the RNA polymerase enzyme has copied the section from where the information begins to where it ends, it will also have copied irrelevant segments. The presence of unnecessary information will lead to the manufacture of useless and unnecessary proteins. At this point, enzymes known as spliceosomes come to the rescue and extract the unnecessary sections from among hundreds of thousands of pieces of information, and then splice the remaining parts together.

Molecules of only a few atoms exhibit miraculous behavior in the RNA-severing process. They correct gaps and errors in the text, just like an editor. These atoms know which protein the RNA polymerase wants to manufacture, are able to differentiate between information necessary for that protein to come into being and needless information, and they carry out this task among hundreds of thousands of pieces of data without making a single error. They also realize immediately when their presence is required, and arrive to begin work without a moment's delay.

In order to read the information contained in human DNA, hundreds of leading scientists managed to do this only within the framework of the Human Genome Project, working for some 10 years with the most highly developed technology. They have still been unable to establish which letters are used for the manufacture of which protein. In contrast, trillions of RNA polymerase enzymes in the body's 100 trillion cells are constantly reading the information contained in DNA from beginning to end and extracting and providing the information requested in a flawless and immaculate manner. This extraordinary phenomenon is one clear proof that Almighty Allah, the Creator of all things, creates the RNA polymerase and bestows this ability upon it.