Biochemistry: Molecular Flashcards
Chromatin structure
Heterochromatin DNA that is looped around a histone octamer to form a nucleosome “beads on a string” formation
Phosphate groups on the DNA = (-) charge
Lysine and arginine AAs on histone = (+) charge
note this structure is for all chromatin DNA that is NOT mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA is circular and does not warp around histones
Heterochromatin
Condensed from of chromatin that is functional inactive (cant be transcribed)
Is darker on EM since it is denser
High levels of methylation ; low levels of acetylation
Barr bodies
Inactive X chromosomes that may appear on the nucleus of heterochromatin DNA
Euchromatin
Less condensed version fo chromatin DNA. Able to be transcribed
Is lighter on EM
DNA methylation
Act of adding a methyl group to DNA segment ends.
Does not change the DNA sequence at all, but makes the whole sequence “silenced” or not able to be transcribed.
- commonly seen as a natural part of the following:
- aging
- exposure to carcinogens
- genomic imprinting
- inactivation fo X chromosomes*
Histone methylation
Adds a methyl group to histones, provide an almost complete (90%) “silence” of the wrapped heterochromatin.
- some of the heterochromatin can still unpackage and become euchromatin and be transcribed, but its very little
Histone acetylation
Addition of Acetyl groups tot he histone, causing all heterochromatin to unpackage and become euchromatin
- increases transcription
removes the histones (+) charge via adding the acetyl groups to lysine and arginine AAs
Histone deaceytlation
Removal of acetyl groups, causes packaging of euchromatin into heterochromatin around the histones
makes lysine and arginine AAs (+) again
Nucleoside vs nucleotide
NucleoSide = base + deoxyribose (Sugar ONLY)
NucleoTide = base + Deoxyribose + phosphaTe group w/ 3’5 bonds
Purines vs Pyrimidines
Purines = 2 rings
- A/G
- “Pure as gold” (AG)
Pyrimidines = 1 ring
- C/T/U
- “CUT the PY”
Deamination reactions of the purines and pyrimidines
Cytosine -> uracil
Uracil -> thymine
Adenine -> hypoxanthine
Guanine - > xanthine
Amino acids needed for purine synthesis
Glycine
Aspartate
Glutamine
“Cats purrine until the GAG”
H bonds and respect to melting point temps
C-G bonds = 3 H
A- T bonds = 2 H
More H bonds = high melting point
What drugs affect pyrimidine synthesis only?
Leflunomide: inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrognease
- aspartate + phosphate -> orotic acid
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) & capecitabine: inhibts thymidylate synthase
- dUMP -> dTMP
What drugs affect purine synthesis only?
6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) & azathioprine: inhibit the whole thing
Mycophenolate & ribavirin: inhibit Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase
- IMP -> GMP