Chapter 6: Gene Expression Flashcards
This is a consensus promoter sequence that usually occurs ~25 bps upstream from the gene it primes
TATA box
before transcription, the RNA polymerase binds – generally – to this region
promoter region
what is the combined error rate of DNA polymerase and exonuclease activity?
1 x 10^7
What is the combined error rate of RNA polymerase activity?
1 x 10^4 (1 in 10,000)
What are 3 reasons why RNA polymerase has a higher error rate than DNA polymerase?
- energy conservation
- RNA mutations are non-hereditary
- much faster
What is the name of the TBP transcription-associated protein?
TATA-binding protein
this transcription-associated protein identifies and binds to the TATA box sequence with high affinity
TBP (TATA-binding protein)
What is the function of TIID protein?
distorts DNA @ the TATA box which allows for further transcription factor assembly
What is the function of the TFIIH protein?
has both helicase and kinase activity
Why are there so many transcription factors required for RNA transcription initiation?
prevents nonsense transcriptions from hyperexpression/overproduction of non-functional protein
what are promoter regions (enhancers)?
a region of DNA (upstream) that binds activator proteins that can then bind to corresponding mediator
What is the function of promoter regions (enhancers)?
method of regulating RNA pol activity
What are the two binding fates of activator protein binding to promoter regions?
- activator binds to mediator
- addition of histone-modifying and chromatin-remodelling proteins
What are the two outcomes of activator protein binding to promoter regions?
- activator binds to mediator
- addition of histone-modifying and chromatin-remodeling proteins
what is the function of mediators and activators?
allows for various methods of RNA transcription/gene expression control; can increase/decrease transcription speed
what is an advantage of splicing?
allows for the usage of a single DNA regions for the production of multiple different proteins
whats the name of snRNP?
small nuclear ribonuclear protein
what is the function of snRNPs?
bind and replace DNA regions to splice out introns
where does snRNP activity occur?
in the nucleus
what happens to mRNA after splicing
- new 5’ end is capped
- new 3’ end is polyadenylated
why must capping and adenylation occur after splicing?
ensures that immature mRNA sequences can’t be translated before exiting the nucleus
in what organisms does capping and adenylation not occur?
prokaryotes