Kinetic characterization of amino acid activation by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases using radiolabelled γ-[P]ATP.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) are fundamental enzymes that pair amino acids and tRNAs for protein synthesis. Aminoacylation occurs in two discrete steps. The amino acid is first activated by ATP, leading to an aminoacyl-adenylate intermediate and pyrophosphate (PP) formation.