Chapter 29. RNA Synthesis and Processing

Question 1

Idealized base sequence that represents common features of a promoter site.

Answer 1

Consensus sequence

Question 2

an ATP-dependent helicase in bacteria that breaks the RNA-DNA hybrid at the transcription bubble, and thereby terminates transcription.

Answer 2

Rho (ρ) protein

Question 3

Secondary structures formed by some mRNA molecules that can bind small molecules. Such binding then regulates the synthesis of the mRNA molecule.

Answer 3

Riboswitch

Question 4

The unspliced, immediate product of RNA polymerase II in eukaryotes.

Answer 4

Pre-mRNA

Question 5

A specific sequence of DNA, usually just upstream of a gene, that specifies the site and extent of transcription of the associated gene.

Answer 5

Promoter site

Question 6

A structure at the 5’ end of eukaryotic mRNA that stabilizes the mRNA and enhances its translation. The cap contains a 7-methyl guanylate residue attached by a triphosphate linkage to the sugar at the 5’ end of the mRNA in a rare 5’-5’ linkage.

Answer 6

5’ cap

Question 7

A domain in eukaryotic RNA polymerase II consisting of repeats of the seven-amino-acid sequence YSPTSPS that plays a role in transcription regulation through its binding to an enhancer-associated complex called mediator.

Answer 7

Carboxy-terminal domain (CTD)

Question 8

a class of enzymes that synthesize RNA molecules complementary to a DNA template.

Answer 8

RNA polymerase

Question 9

DNA sequences which have no promoter activity themselves but which can greatly enhance the activity of other promoters. Enhancers can exert their stimulatory effect over a distance of several thousand nucleotides.

Answer 9

Enhancer

Question 10

one of a class of RNA molecules that display enzymatic activity.

Answer 10

Catalytic RNA

Question 11

a long (up to 250 nucleotides) polyadenylate segment that is added post-transcriptionally to the 3 inch end of most eukaryotic mRNA.

Answer 11

Poly(A) tail

Question 12

Refers to introns that have the ability to remove themselves from the precursor RNA and assist in the splicing of exons to form mature RNA.

Answer 12

Self-splicing

Question 13

The generation of unique but related mRNA molecules by the differential splicing of the pre-mRNA transcript. By allowing the synthesis of more than one mRNA molecule from a premRNA transcript, alternative splicing increases the encoding potential of the genome.

Answer 13

Alternative splicing

Question 14

RNA molecule 22-nucleotides in length that possesses the regulatory activity when bound to members of a class of proteins called the Argonaute family.

Answer 14

microRNA

Question 15

the change in the information content of RNA following transcription by processes other than RNA splicing.

Answer 15

RNA editing

Question 16

Complexes that consist of one snoRNA and several proteins that direct the extensive modification, on both ribose and base components, of pre-ribosomal RNA.

Answer 16

Small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein (snoRNP)

Question 17

the site of RNA synthesis or transcription. It contains the RNA polymerase, a locally melted “bubble” of DNA and helix consisting of the template strand and the newly synthesized RNA.

Answer 17

Transcription bubble

Question 18

a protein that assists RNA polymerase in the initiation of RNA synthesis. Transcription factors bind to specific promoter elements.

Answer 18

Transcription factor

Question 19

a promoter element found in nearly all eukaryotic genes giving rise to mRNA. The TATA box is centered between -30 and -90 of the transcription start site and has the consensus sequence 5inch TATAAAA 3inch.

Answer 19

TATA box

Question 20

a component of bacterial RNA polymerase that enables the core RNA polymerase to recognize promoter sites.

Answer 20

Sigma (σ) subunit

Question 21

The removal of introns and the ligation of exons from precursors of RNA to form mature RNA.

Answer 21

RNA splicing

Question 22

a class of small RNAs that are confined to the nucleus. Some of these play a role in splicing.

Answer 22

Small nuclear RNA (snRNA)

Question 23

DNA-directed synthesis of RNA catalyzed by RNA polymerase.

Answer 23

Transcription

Question 24

Complexes, formed by the association of small nuclear RNA with specific proteins, that facilitate RNA splicing.

Answer 24

Small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP)

Question 25

an assembly of proteins and small nuclear RNAs that splices primary transcripts to mature mRNA.

Answer 25

Spliceosome