The six-frame translation consists in creating the 6 amino-acid corresponding to one nucleotide sequence. Indeed, the nucleotide sequence, while synthesized, can be translate by the cell in different ways: it can :

• Translate directly the sequence
  • Begin on the first nucleotide

Each triplet of nucleotides (codon) codes for one amino-acid. In taking the corresponding one for each codon of the sequence, we obtained the first amino-acid sequence. The codon stop is represented by a star.

• • Begin on the second nucleotide

The translation can also begin at the second nucleotide, so we need to check also the second strand of amino-acid.

• • Begin on the third nucleotide

Similarly, we have to check for a translation beginning in the third nucleotide. So we now have the 3 corresponding amino-acid sequence for the direct order.

• Translate the reversed complementary sequence

The nucleotide sequence can be a 5'-3' one, so we have to take the complementary reversed sequence. The complementary sequence is just the same one in taking for each base pair its complementary (A-T, C-G). This sequence will so be read in the reversed order (from the last nucleotide to the first one).

as in the direct order, the translation can begin in the first, second or third nucleotide.

• • Begin on the first nucleotide
  • Begin on the second nucleotide
  • Begin on the third nucleotide

At the end, we obtain 6 amino-acid sequences. We also keep the 2 nucleotide sequences.

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