Chapter 11 Flashcards
how do differences in anatomy, physiology and behavior between cells appear?
those cells are all derived from the same genetic material
> those differences are due to different patterns of gene expression
which RNA polymerase transcribes all protein coding genes?
RNA polymerase 2
which RNA polymerase is responsible for mtDNA?
mitochondria have entirely different RNA polymerase, encoded by the nuclear “POLRMT” gene
which elements have to be present in the genetic code to start transcription?
but?
- BRE - TF2B recognitin element
- TATA-box - recognized by TBP subunit
- Inr - initiator elements, 25-30 bp further than TATA box
> contains transcription start site
- DPE - downstream core promotor element
BUT none of these elements is either necessary or sufficient
what is a major difference between RNA and DNA polymerase?
RNA polymerase does not need a primer to get started
how is RNA transcription terminated?
RNA transcription terminated
> no specific signal in sequence
> protein complex cuts transccript and exonuclease moves along RNA until it reaches polymerase > transcript ends
which transcription factor binds first?
how does it recognize the TATA box?
transcriptionfactor TFIID binds first
> one subunit of this factor is called TBP, which recognizes the TATA box
how is transcription regulated by enhancers and activators?
transcription regulation
> activators bind to enhancers (or repressors bind to silencers)
> activators bind to transcription factors
> binding of activators stimulates transcription initiation
what are locus of control regions?
LCR’s
> stimulate the expression on genes
> contain DNase1 hypersensitivity sites, positions where nucleosomes are modified or absent: proteins can bind
> these binding proteins control the chromatin structure
where are enhancers or silencers located?
how are direct interactions with the promoter possible?
enhancers or silencers can be located hundreds of kilobases up or downstream from the gene they control
> DNA looping enables physical interaction between proteins bound to enhancers/silencers and RNA polymerase attached to promoter
what is the definition of epigenetics?
epigenetics
heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence
> a change in phenotype without a change in genotype
by what factors can epigenetics be influenced?
epigenetic chance is a regular and natural occurrence but can also be influenced by several factors including age, environment,lifestyle and disease state
what are the two main components of epigenetic code?
epigenetic code mainly consists of
- DNA methylation
> methyl marks added to certain DNA bases repress gene activity
- histone modification
> different molecules can attach to the histone tails and alter the activity of the DNA wrapped around them
where can DNA methylation occur?
> how are those sites called?
> by which enzyme?
the 5’ position of a cytosine base can be methylated
> but only cytosines whose downstream neighbor is guanine are subject to methylation
> those sites are called CpG sequences
> the enzyme is called DNA methyltransferase (DNMT)
how much of the cytosine bases are methylated?
about 10% in vertebrates