What proteins catalyze the release of the peptide chain during translation termination?

During translation termination, it is the release factors that catalyze the release of the peptide chain from the ribosome. When a stop codon is encountered in the mRNA during translation, these release factors bind to the ribosome and promote the hydrolysis of the bond between the tRNA and the polypeptide chain. This process effectively frees the newly synthesized protein, allowing it to fold and perform its designated functions within the cell.

Release factors play a crucial role in ensuring that translation accurately concludes at the appropriate points, and their action is essential for the completion of the protein synthesis process. In contrast, transferases, ribozymes, and elongation factors have different functions in the cellular processes associated with protein synthesis. Transferases are involved in transferring functional groups, ribozymes act as catalytic RNA molecules, and elongation factors assist in the elongation phase of translation. These roles do not include facilitating the termination of translation, which is specific to the action of release factors.