Ch. 17b Eukaryotic Transcription (Exam 2) Flashcards

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1
Q

What’s the difference between prokaryotic transcription and eukaryotic transcription in terms of where they take place?

A

Prokaryotic = DNA template

Eukaryotic = chromatin template

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2
Q

Define transcription factor.

A

Any protein needed to start transcription but is not part of the RNA polymerase

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3
Q

Aside from chromatin being opened and not condensed, what must happen to the nucleosome octamers before transcription can occur?

A

They must be moved or removed from promoter sequences

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4
Q

What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription in terms of how their RNA polymerase activity?

A

Prokaryotic = RNA polymerase can read DNA

Eukaryotic = RNA polymerase canNOT read DNA

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5
Q

What are cis-acting elements?

A

Non-coding regions that regulate transcription of nearby genes

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6
Q

What are basal transcription factors?

A

Transcription proteins that bind to certain sites, like the promoter, to activate transcription

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7
Q

Define core promoter.

A

Region containing all binding sites necessary for RNA polymerase to bind and function

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8
Q

Does RNA polymerase extend to the upstream region of the promoter?

A

No, but it does bind to the start point of transcription, which is a little bit downstream of the promoter

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9
Q

What are the 3 RNA polymerase classes?

A

I, II, III

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10
Q

In RNA polymerase II, you will find these types of RNA…

A

mRNA & some small RNAs

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11
Q

Are transcription factors or RNA polymerases responsible for recognizing the promoters in eukaryotes?

A

Transcription factors

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12
Q

How do basal transcription factors help RNA polymerase?

A

Basal transcription factors create a 3D structure to provide a target for the RNA polymerase i.e. they act as a liaison from promoter to RNA polymerase

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13
Q

What is an enhancer?

A

Non-coding sequence that enhances the transcription process and the likelihood that a gene will be transcribed

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14
Q

What are housekeeping genes (constitutive promoters)?

A

Promoters constitutively expressed and needed in all cells

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15
Q

In terms of their amount of subunits, what do RNA polymerases I-III have in common?

A

They all have about 12 subunits

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16
Q

RNA polymerase I synthesizes rRNA in the…

A

Nucleolus

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17
Q

RNA polymerase II synthesizes mRNA in the…

A

Nucleoplasm

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18
Q

RNA polymerse III synthesizes small RNAs in the…

A

Nucleoplasm

19
Q

How are RNA polymerases in prokaryotes and eukaryotes similar in terms of subunit and function?

A

Subunit: 2 largest homologous to the beta & beta-prime subunits in bacteria

Function: similar/same function contained in basal transcription factors

20
Q

The largest subunit in RNA polymerase is…

A

Carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD)

21
Q

What exactly is the CTD?

A

Multiple repeats of a consensus sequence on seven amino acids

22
Q

What are 3 uses for CTD?

A

1) Initiation
2) Transcription elongation
3) Everything related to mRNA processing

23
Q

What is another name for the basal transcription factors that bind to the promoter to direct RNA polymerase binding?

A

Preinitiation complex

24
Q

What is a downstream promoter element (DPE)?

A

Common component of RNA polymerase II promoters without a TATA box

25
Q

What does the core promoter of RNA polymerase II typically include (HINT: 2 things)?

A

1) Initiator (inr)
2) Either TATA box or DPE

26
Q

What is a TATA box?

A

A-T rich octamer capable of defining the direction of transcription and indicating the DNA strand that needs reading

27
Q

What is the TATA-binding protein (TBP)?

A

Component of positioning factor needed in all RNA polymerases for binding to the promoter

28
Q

You will typically find TBP bound to the TATA box…

A

In the minor groove of DNA

29
Q

Basal transcription factors for RNA polymerase II are notated as…

A

TFII + whatever letter A-J

30
Q

The first step of initiation requires the binding of this basal transcription factor to the TATA box or initiator…

A

TFII D

31
Q

Initiation actually begins when…

A

RNA polymerase II binds to the TFII D complex

32
Q

How does the TATA box-containing promoter become active?

A

TBP subunit of TFIID directs binding to the TATA box

33
Q

What happens when the TFIID directs binding to the TATA box?

A

TFIIB contacts the minor groove (downstream) and major groove (upstream), which allows recognition from RNA polymerase

34
Q

How is promoter melting (DNA unwinding) useful?

A

It allows transcription to start

35
Q

What 3 TFII allow for promotor melting?

A

B, E, & H

36
Q

When does elongation occur?

A

After the formation of the preinitiation complex when RNA polymerase is released from the other transcription factors

37
Q

This chemical process, involving the addition of phosphorus, acting on the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) is required for promoter clearance and elongation…

A

Phosphorylation

38
Q

Interrupted genes require further processing to become…

A

Functional and mature

39
Q

During transcription, the 5’ end is capped, but the 3’ end is…

A

Polyadenylated

40
Q

Where in the cell is RNA translated into proteins?

A

Cytoplasm

41
Q

Why do transcription and translation occur at the same time in prokaryotes but not eukaryotes?

A

Prokaryotic genomes are much simpler

42
Q

How is termination signaled in RNA polymerase transcription?

A

mRNA 3’ end formation

43
Q

What is the purpose of the AAUAAA sequence?

A

To signal cleavage of polyadenylated 3’ end of mRNA

44
Q

What are the 3 purposes of the poly(A) tail?

A

1) Controlling mRNA stability
2) Facilitating nuclear export of mRNA
3) Influencing translation