Block A 2 Flashcards
what is supercoiled DNA
when DNA is further twisted to save space
negative supercoiling
double helix is underwound
positive supercoiling
double helix is overwound
relaxed DNA
DNA has number of turns predicted by number of base pairs
where is negative supercoiling predominately found
in nature
what catalyses DNA supercoiling
DNA gyrase
difference between RNA and DNA genomes
linear or circular
single or double stranded
how do plasmids replicate
separately from chromosome
what does pNDM plasmid encode and confer
new dehli beta lactamase
resistance to beta lactam antibiotics
what is a chromosome
large, encodes all essential genes and more
what are plasmids
small, many copies, non essential but advantageous genes (antibiotic resistance)
what are transposable elements
segment of DNA that can move from one site to another site on the same or different DNA mol
3 main types of transposable elements
insertion sequences
transposons
special viruses
what do sigma factors recognise
two highly conserved regions of promoter
what are the 2 conserved regions
pribnow box- 10 bases before start of transcription (-10 region)
-35 region- -35 bases upstream of transcription
how do sigma factors govern promoter recogniton
RNAP
what is a unit of transcription
unit of chr bounded by sites where transcription of DNA to RNA is initiated and terminated
3 types of rRNA
16S
23S
5S
half life of mRNAs
short
(few mins)
polycistronic mRNA
an mRNA encoding group of cotranscribed genes
operon
group of related genes cotranscribed on a polycistronic mRNA
allows for expression of multiple genes to be coordinated
homodimeric proteins
proteins composed of 2 identical proteins
why do mRNA transcripts have a short half life
prevents production of unneeded proteins
what do protein dimers interact with on DNA
inverted repeats
DNA binding proteins interact with DNA is a sequence-specific manner, how is specificity achieved
by interactions between aa side chains and chem groups on bases and sugar phosphate backbone
what is the main site of protein binding
major groove of DNA
3 possible outcomes after DNA binding
-DNA binding protein may catalyse a specific reaction on the DNA mol
-negative regulation
-positive regulation
what is negative regulation
binding event can block transcription