Control of gene expression in eukaryotes

Question 1

Define the transcriptome

Answer 1

the mRNA complement of the genome expressed under certain conditions

Question 2

Define the proteome

Answer 2

The protein complement of the genome expressed under certain conditions

Question 3

What is the main characteristic of the transcriptional level?

Answer 3

controls the transcription initiation frequency of a gene

Question 4

What is the main characteristic of mRNA maturation level?

Answer 4

Quality control, splicing

Question 5

What is the main characteristic of mRNA transport and localization?

Answer 5

distribution to cell compartments

Question 6

Define mRNA stability level?

Answer 6

Transcript half-life

Question 7

Define translation level

Answer 7

control of mRNA decoding

Question 8

Define protein activity level

Answer 8

folding, localization, modification, half-life

Question 9

What are the three cis-acting regulatory elements?

Answer 9

Core promoter, proximal and distal regulatory elements

Question 10

What is contained in the contents of the basal promoter?

Answer 10

contains the TATA box, 25-35 bp upstream from transcription initiation site. Remove the promoter, the RNA polymerase can’t bind

Question 11

Where are regulatory elements located?

Answer 11

They are located mostly upstream, but can also be found downstream

Question 12

Define RDBP

Answer 12

Regulatory DNA Binding Protein

Question 13

Define the proximal reulatory element

Answer 13

1. located int eh first 350 bp of 5’-flanking region
2. activity is dependent upon their position and orientation
3. can increase, decrease, or inhibit transcription initiation frequency

Question 14

Define the distal regulatory elements

Answer 14

1. located in 5’, 3’, or within introns
2. can work over large distances
3. activity is independent of position or orientation
4. can regulate entire chromatin domains

Question 15

Define the locus control region (LCR)

Answer 15

DNA sequence elements that control the expression of one or several genes located within a large chromatin domain

Question 16

How does the LCR work?

Answer 16

RDBPs bound to LCR interact with RDBPs bound to proximal regulatory elements of individual genes, initiating translation and decondensing chromatin via CRCs.

Question 17

Define insulator elements

Answer 17

1. protect active genes by preventing heterochromatin formation.
2. Serve as physical barriers that limit action of distal regulatory elements

Question 18

Why is the major groove frequently where RDBPs bind?

Answer 18

more diverse opportunities for binding and interaction

Question 19

Define the functional anatomy of all RDPBs

Answer 19

1. DNA binding site responsible for finding appropriate sequence
2. protein-protein interaction domains that influence the transcriptional activity of the target gene