Ch 7 RNA and The Genetic Code - and control of gene expression in prokaryotes Flashcards
Central dogma of molecular biology
DNA replicates back into DNA. DNA is transcribed into RNA. RNA is reverse transcribed back into DNA. RNA is translated into proteins
Gene
Previous definition- a unit of DNA that encodes a specific protein or RNA molecule and through transcription and translation the gene can be expressed
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Carries info specifying the amino acid sequence of the protein to the ribosome.
Transcribed from template dna strands by RNA polymerase enzymes in the nucleus of the cell.
Only type of RNA that contains info that is translated into protein
Codons
Genetic code tables. Messenger RNA is read in three nucleotide sequence called codons in order to produce proteins.
Translated into an amino acid.
Code for one amino acid each - there are 64.
Monocistronic
In eukaryotes this defines mRNA, which means that each mRNA molecule translates into only one protein
Polycistronic
Prokaryotic cells - starting process of translation at different locations in the mRNA can result in different proteins
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
Responsible for converting the language of nucleic acids to the language of amino acids and peptides.
Each tRNA contains a folded strand of RNA that includes a three-nucleotide anticodon which recognizes and pairs with the appropriate codon in an mRNA while in the ribosome.
Mature tRNA is found in the cytoplasm
Charged or activated tRNA molecules
To become part of a nascent polypeptide in the ribosome, amino acids are connected to a specific tRNA molecule which are said to be charged or activated
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase
Each amino acid is activated by a different one of these.
Each requires two high energy bonds from ATP.
Transfers the activated amino acid to the 3’ end of the correct tRNA.
Each tRNA has a CCA nucleotide sequence where the amino acid binds
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
Synthesized in the nucleus; functions as an integral part of the ribosomal machinery used during protein assembly in the cytoplasm.
Helps catalyze formation of peptide bonds and is important in splicing out its own introns within the nucleus
Ribozymes
Many rRNA molecules function as this; they are enzymes made of RNA molecules instead of peptides
Start codon
Methionine. All proteins begin with this.
AUG
Stop codons
UAG, UGA, UAA
Anticodons
Allows tRNA to pair with mRNA.
Will be antiparallel
Degenerate
Generic code is this because more than one codon can specify a single amino acid. All amino acids except for methionine and tryptophan are coded by multiple codons
Wobble position
Third position in a codon.
It is variable and the variability is meant to protect against mutations in coding regions. Codons only require first two nucleotides be correct.
Mutations often called silent or degenerate
Point mutation
Mutation affected one of the nucleotides in the codon.
In the third position it is still silent.
Expressed mutations
Point mutations that can affect primary amino acid sequence of the protein
Two categories: missense and nonsense
Missense mutation
A type of expressed point mutation where one amino acid substitutes for another
Nonsense mutation
An expressed point mutation where the codon now encodes for a premature stop codon.
Also called truncation mutation
Reading frame
The three nucleotides of a codon
Frameshift mutation
Occurs when some number of nucleotides are added or deleted from the mRNA sequence.
Usually very severe ill effect
Transcription
The creation of mRNA from a DNA template.
RNA must be used to generate proteins because DNA cannot exist outside of the nucleus
Template strand
Also called the antisense strand.
One of the two dna strands from which mRNA is transcribed
Promoters
Specialized DNA regions which RNA polymerase uses to search for proteins
RNA polymerase II
Main player in transcribing mRNA.
Located in the nucleus; synthesizes hnRNA (preprocessed mRNA) and some small nuclear RNA (snRNA)
TATA box
RNA polymerase II’s binding site in the promoter region.
Named for high concentration of thymine and adenine bases.
Usually falls around base -25
Transcription factors
Help RNA polymerase locate and bind to the promoter region of DNA, helping to establish where transcription will start
RNA polymerase I
Located in nucleus and synthesizes rRNA