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Central Dogma

transferring information from genes to proteins

The Central Dogma of molecular biology was formulated by Francis Crick, and describes the flow of biological information, where the information in DNA is used to build RNA (and more DNA), and the information in RNA is used to build proteins. The key biomolecules included in the process are highlighted here. Many other molecules are involved, and can be browsed in the PDB-101 categories on Protein Synthesis and Nucleic Acids.

Molecule of the Month Articles (26)

Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases

Cisplatin and DNA

DNA

DNA Polymerase

	Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases ensure that the proper amino acids are used to build proteins
	Cisplatin and DNA Cisplatin treats cancer by causing damage to the DNA of cancer cells.
	DNA Atomic structures reveal how the iconic double helix encodes genomic information
	DNA Polymerase DNA polymerase makes an accurate copy of the cell's genome
	Expressome In bacteria, ribosomes start building proteins as messenger RNA is being transcribed
	Histone Deacetylases Histone deacetylases regulate access to genetic information by modifying histones
	Mediator Mediator integrates regulatory information to decide when genes need to be transcribed.
	Non-Homologous End Joining Supercomplexes Lethal double-strand breaks in the DNA genome are repaired by NHEJ
	Ribosome Ribosomes are complex molecular machines that build proteins
	RNA Polymerase RNA polymerase transcribes genetic information from DNA into RNA
	SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Coronaviruses duplicate their RNA genome using a specialized polymerase
	Spliceosomes Cryoelectron microscropy is revealing how spliceosomes cut-and-paste messenger RNA molecules.
	Transfer RNA Transfer RNA translates the language of the genome into the language of proteins
	Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases ensure that the proper amino acids are used to build proteins
	Cisplatin and DNA Cisplatin treats cancer by causing damage to the DNA of cancer cells.
	DNA Atomic structures reveal how the iconic double helix encodes genomic information
	DNA Polymerase DNA polymerase makes an accurate copy of the cell's genome
	Expressome In bacteria, ribosomes start building proteins as messenger RNA is being transcribed
	Histone Deacetylases Histone deacetylases regulate access to genetic information by modifying histones
	Mediator Mediator integrates regulatory information to decide when genes need to be transcribed.
	Non-Homologous End Joining Supercomplexes Lethal double-strand breaks in the DNA genome are repaired by NHEJ
	Ribosome Ribosomes are complex molecular machines that build proteins
	RNA Polymerase RNA polymerase transcribes genetic information from DNA into RNA
	SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Coronaviruses duplicate their RNA genome using a specialized polymerase
	Spliceosomes Cryoelectron microscropy is revealing how spliceosomes cut-and-paste messenger RNA molecules.
	Transfer RNA Transfer RNA translates the language of the genome into the language of proteins

Learning Resources (8)

Award-winning RNA Polymerase Illustration

(Poster)

The Ribosome

(Flyer)

Transfer Ribonucleic Acid (tRNA)

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

B-DNA

DNA

Goodsell Molecular Landscapes (3)

JCVI-syn3A Minimal Cell

Escherichia coli Bacterium

Biosites: Nucleus

	DNA Paper Model Atomic structures reveal how the iconic double helix encodes genomic information
	tRNA Paper Model Transfer RNA translates the language of the genome into the language of proteins
	Award-winning RNA Polymerase Illustration Poster
	The Ribosome Flyer This flyer commemorates the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome.
	Ribosomal Subunits GIF Atomic structures of the ribosomal subunits reveal a central role for RNA in protein synthesis. Ribosomes are complex molecular machines that build proteins.
	The Biologist Magazine Big Biochemical Colouring-in Series Coloring Book This series was created for The Biologist in 2022 to invite readers to get artistic while learning about some of the life sciences’ most important and interesting macromolecules.
	Molecular Backgrounds For Virtual Meetings Other Resources Download images created by David Goodsell to add a molecular backdrop to your next virtual meeting. Click on the image to expand.
	Exploring the Structural Biology of Viruses Article Structures of viral proteins help us discover effective ways to fight infection.

	Transfer Ribonucleic Acid (tRNA) Geis illustrates the structure of transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA), the nucleic acid that translates the language of the genome into the language of proteins.
	Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Geis illustrates three possible forms of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). He highlights the differences between each structure by displaying them in a side-by-side manner.
	B-DNA Geis illustrates B-DNA in blue looking from above, through the double helix. The two bases on top are highlighted in white to distinguish one individual section of the layered scene.
	DNA Geis illustrates a double helix in his depiction of DNA. He portrays the helices with a soft ribbon structure. The white "box-like" structures represent a base pair in the DNA strand.

	JCVI-syn3A Minimal Cell Cross-section through an entire JCVI-syn3A minimal cell showing an entire cellular proteome.
	Escherichia coli Bacterium A cross-section through an Escherichia coli cell reveals the crowded nature of the cell and diverse molecular processes.
	Biosites: Nucleus Biosites: Nucleus (2005) by David S. Goodsell

Central Dogma

Molecule of the Month Articles (26)

Learning Resources (8)

Geis Digital Archive (4)

Goodsell Molecular Landscapes (3)