An anticodon is a three-letter sequence that complements, or pairs, with the codon sequence of the messenger RNA. Messenger RNA codes for proteins and they are built from amino acids. The three-letter codon in a messenger RNA is precisely what codes for a specific amino acid. This codon of the messenger RNA is complemented by the sequence of the anticodon of a transfer RNA (the one with the nucleotides that match the codon). In turn, this specific transfer RNA carries with it the correct amino acid that is going to bind to the protein. Thus, the instruction manual for the construction of this protein is found in the messenger RNA.
This occurs at the 3′ end position which sits on an mRNA, while a distinct tRNA anticodon triplet sequence matches a three complementary base pair mRNA codon sequence to guide appropriate amino acid into place at a ribosome activation site to form a polypeptide or protein.
