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This is a video game created by Kotia Game Creations© (KGC), and coded exclusively by Neil Kotia. The following game is named after and about the protein P53, but any other inclusion or mention of any real world persons, locations, proteins, corporations, or establishments is entirely coincidental and does not imply sponsorship, endorsement, or distribution of any kind.
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Age Rating:
M (7+), by the VGRA, for Strong and Graphic Biological Material Throughout, Extreme Synthesization Language, and Brief Mutational Use
Click on the nucleus to inspect it
This a sparsely detailed eukaryotic cell. Note the nucleus.
Click on the DNA strand to inspect it
Notice the DNA strand to the left there.
In that strand of DNA, the segments present are called genes.
With this information, we are going to explore the process of protein synthesis.
Click on the gene to begin its transcription
The genes in that DNA strand include one called TP53.
The first step of protein synthesis is transcription.
The enzyme RNA Polymerase unzips a specific part of the DNA.
Press RIGHT to use RNA Polymerase
Now, using base pairing rules, the enzyme will create a single strand of RNA.
Press here to learn about base pairing rules, or RIGHT to continue
After the strand of mRNA is fully developed, RNA Polymerase moves on.
Press RIGHT to let the enzyme continue
Template Strand
The mRNA strand will now move out of the cell’s nucleus by nuclear export.
Press RIGHT to let the mRNA out through the nuclear pores
The nuclear pores allow the mRNA to leave the nucleus.
Quickly, press RIGHT to follow the RNA’s path!
Click on the ribosome to inspect it
The mRNA strand has reached the ribosome. The ribosome will produce the protein P53.
*In an actual scale, his RNA strand should technically have 393 codons, or 1179 nucleotides.
The mRNA strand is split up every three nucleotides, each called a codon.
The tRNA has an anticodon at its bottom end.
TAC
GTA
Each tRNA has a specific anticodon that matches with the mRNA’s codons.
This is done to “stabilize” it so the amino acid (mono) on top can be used to make a protein (poly).
This is called translation, and it the second and last step to protein synthesis.
Press SPACE to start translation
TAC
GTA
C G C A U A U G
TAC
Each amino acid is unique, and is decided on which mRNA codon was used to stabilize it.
Press RIGHT to find the amino acid’s name
Using the Amino Acid Sequencing Chart below, please find the amino acid that pairs with the mRNA codon AUG.
Isoleucine
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Glutamine
Methionine
Stop
GTA
C G C A U A U G
GTA
The next codon goes through the same process.
Press SPACE to continue translation
C G C A U A U G
And the process just keeps continuing, eventually forming a full polypeptide called a protein.
Press RIGHT to continue
Mutations
There are four types of mutations: silent, missense, nonsense, and frameshift.
Missense mutations specifically affect protein P53.
Press RIGHT to continue
The slightly incorrect/mutated polypeptide travels to the nucleus.
Since P53 is a cancer suppressant (found in the nucleus), it is also mutated commonly by cancers.
Cancers altering P53’s gene expression takes away its suppressant abilities.
Press SPACE to continue
P53 has specific amino acid sequences known as nuclear localization signals (NLS).
With the NLS, P53 are allowed in the nucleus by importin proteins via nuclear import.
Now there is a P53 protein in the nucleus. It will fight against the harmful effects of some tumors.
Congratulations.
Hold on…this protein seems to be mutated.
The tumor is settling in…and P53 won’t be able to resist it.
Press SPACE to begin apoptosis
However, P53 can do one last thing: shut down and kill the cell so the tumor doesn’t spread to other cells.
It’s the only way.
Apoptosis
Nothing is happening. That’s not good.
Pr s R GH to co ti u
Created by Kotia Game Creations, under Kotia Incorporation (Inc)
Coded by Neil Kotia
Preliminary Research on Protein Synthesis and Protein P53 conducted by Neil Kotia
Assets and Models developed by Neil Kotia
Other images used with fair use
Made for a project in Period 5 Biology Honors class
Started on January 30th and finished on February 12th (2025)
Originally released on February 13th, 2025
Rated by the Video Game Rating Association, 2025
All Rights Reserved
U A G A C A G U
DNA is made up nucleotides.
Press RIGHT to show the nucleotides labeled
There are called Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, and Guanine.
T A G A C A G T
A T C T G T C A
Adenine goes with Thymine…
And Cytosine goes with Guanine.
RNA nucleotides, however, doesn’t include Thymine, but instead have Uracil.
Uracil pairs with Adenine, and Adenine pairs with Thymine.
Press RIGHT to observe the RNA pairing with the top DNA strand
Press here to continue
Incorrect
Please reset to last checkpoint.
Reset
In the cell cycle, during the S phase, mistakes can be made.
Press RIGHT to begin the S phase
When DNA Polymerase III creates new DNA daughter strands…
T A G A C A G T
A T C T G T C A
…The pairings could get messed up.
T A G A C A G T
A T C T G C C A
There’s the mutation. Cytosine doesn’t go with Adenine.
Press RIGHT to continue
The entire cell cycle continues with this mutation.
Press here to continue
When RNA Polymerase creates the mRNA strand, it pairs its nucleotides correctly to whatever nucleotide is in the DNA strand…
Even if it is mutated…
Press RIGHT to continue
The normal, unmutated polypeptide (P53) travels to the nucleus.
While in the nucleus, P53 suppresses tumors by controlling cell division.
Press SPACE to continue
P53 has specific amino acid sequences known as nuclear localization signals (NLS).
With the NLS, P53 are allowed in the nucleus by importin proteins via nuclear import.
Now there is a P53 protein in the nucleus. It will fight against the harmful effects of some tumors.
Congratulations.
Hold on…there seems to be an attack on the cell by a tumor.
The tumor is being resisted, but the damage may be too great for the DNA in the cell.
Press SPACE to begin apoptosis, or press here to not
P53 can do something about this: shut down and kill the cell so the mutated DNA doesn’t spread to other cells.
It’s the only way.
Will you carry out apoptosis to save other potential cells from mutated DNA?
Apoptosis
Pr s R GH to co ti u
Created by Kotia Game Creations, under Kotia Incorporation (Inc)
Coded by Neil Kotia
Preliminary Research on Protein Synthesis and Protein P53 conducted by Neil Kotia
Assets and Models developed by Neil Kotia
Other images used with fair use
Made for a project in Period 5 Biology Honors class
Started on January 30th and finished on February 12th (2025)
Originally released on February 13th, 2025
Rated by the Video Game Rating Association, 2025
All Rights Reserved
1. How the protein is made?
P53 is made when the TP53 gene in the DNA (in chromosome 17) undergoes transcription and becomes an mRNA. That mRNA travels out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm and to the ribosomes for protein synthesis. The protein P53 is produced from the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
When the mRNA reaches the ribosome, it begins translation. The RNA is processed, starting with every three nucleotides being grouped as codons.
There are 393 codons, or 1179 nucleotides, in the gene TP53. Every single (mRNA) codon has a tRNA that pairs its anticodon (complementary pairs) with the codon. Each tRNA has a amino acid at the top, and when paired correctly, results in a 393 amino acid protein known as P53.
2. What is the protein’s function? Where can you find this protein in the human body?
Located in the nucleus of all cells in the human body, P53’s function is to suppress cancer and tumors by regulating and controlling cell division and death. If it decides that damage in the DNA is too great, then it will continue with apoptosis, or a process that kills the cell so the mutated DNA does not spread to future multiplied cells. “Considered one of the most important genes in preventing cancer development.”
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3. What is the specific type of mutation that affects this protein?
P53’s main mutation is considered to be the missense mutation.
4. What are the consequences of a mutation in this protein (or in the pathway that makes the protein)?
P53 is unable to control its gene expression, or ability to “turn on” a gene in a cell to make RNA and proteins, therefore losing its ability to be a cancer suppressant. Most cancers use this mutation frequently.
For the protein P53 to go back into the nucleus (as that is where it is found), it “contains specific amino acid sequences known as nuclear localization signals (NLS) that are recognized by importin proteins, which are essential for nuclear import.
Once bound to the NLS, importin proteins interact with other nuclear pore complex components to actively transport P53 into the nucleus.”
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