The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
DNA polymers code RNA polymers which code Amino Acid polymers
Three challenges
Transcription
Converts the DNA Genetic Code into RNA
The major difference between DNA replication and Transcription
Transcription is HIGHLY selective
*Only defined portions of DNA are transcribed to RNA
RNA Polymerases
Transcribe Genes In A “Bubble” Of Single-stranded DNA
Transcription bubble
Similar to replication bubble
*On rare occasions in prokaryotes, two replication bubbles can cross in opposing directions to read different templates on different DNA strands
Transcription Occurs In Three Stages
Transcription Begins After
A RNA Polymerase Binds To A Promoter Site On DNA
Location of Promoter sites
Prokaryotic promoters are short and lie close to the actual transcription start site
Eukaryotic promoters may be spread out over hundreds of DNA base pairs
Transcription Factors
Can bind DNA or other DNA-binding proteins
Basal Transcription factors or the Basal Transcription Complex are the smallest group of proteins required to produce any transcription
6 factors make up the basal transcription factors
TFIIA, TFIIB, TFIID, TFIIE, TFIIF, and TFIIH
Transcription: Initiation
RNA synthesis begins when basal transcription factors bind to the promoter nearest to where transcription begins
*This is NOT mark the beginning of translation
Core promoter
(essential for transcription) on which the basal transcription factors assemble
Assembly of the Initiation Complex (continued)
TFIID is recruited to the TATA box
TFIIH
- binds specifically the template strand and it also has helicase activity
Order of TF adding sequence
RNA polymerase only appears after all the basal transcription factors have been assembled.
TFIIH
The “H” stands for helicase activity and helps unwind it. Phosphorylates RNA pol and activates it.
TFIIE
“E” Binds hold RNA poly II and holds it in place. “The Escape claw”
RNA transcript
transcript is extended in the 5’-to-3’ direction as the RNA polymerase reads the template DNA strand in the 3’-to-5’ direction
The entire replication bubble is within the space occupied by RNA pol II
Supercoiling Solved by Two Enzymes
Gyrase reverses extra positive supercoiling ahead of the transcription bubble by inducing negative supercoiling
Topoisomerase relaxes negative supercoiling behind the transcription bubble
Stage 3 of Transcription: Termination
Termination results in the release of the mRNA transcript and RNA pol from the DNA template
Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes use different termination methods
Three features of termination are especially important
Three Important Features of Termination
2) Bacterial rho protein is an example of an RNA pol binding-protein necessary for termination of some transcription
3) Terminators are not universally effective
Anti-terminators can suppress termination
Polycistronic RNA and operons result when adjacent or clusters of genes are transcribed on a single RNA molecule
One of the most striking differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic transcription is that mRNA structure is modified by Eukaryotes prior to their use
True
The Spliceosome Controls RNA Splicing
Introns are removed from the primary transcript and exons are stitched together in a transesterification reaction at the exon-exon boundary
Alternative splicing can generate a large variety of proteins from a single DNA sequence
RNA Modifications
- Poly(A) tail