DNA/RNA Flashcards
What is contained in the nucleus?
Proteins, nucleotides, carbohydrates, and lipids
What is posttranslational modification?
once protein synthesis is complete, they need to be modified to change function whether they are going to be intracellular or extracellular proteins
What is the precurser to protein synthesis?
mRNA
What is the function of nuclear pores?
nucleus membrane channels that actively transport RNA, ribosomes, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids (smaller molecules simply diffuse)
What is the role of importins or exportins?
They are carrier proteins (nucleoporins); proteins with nuclear export sequence (NES) are actively transported out of the nucleus via these carrier proteins
RNA uses a NES-containing RNA-binding protein that also uses exportin
What is the most important structure inside the nucleous and how many are they? What is their role?
Chromatin; 46 chromosomes
unwinding exposes genes for DNA replication, DNA to RNA transcription and mRNA translation
What are the six classes of Histones?
H1, H2A, H2B, H3, H4, H5
What is the primary role of Histones?
post-translationally modified which either expose or conceal DNA sequences for gene transcription or repair of DNA damage
What are Histones made of?
Protein (positive/negative/uncharged/AA/primary structure/alpha helices(secondary structure)
What is the role of nuclear matrix/scaffold?
protect and maintain the structure and integrity of the DNA molecule
What are laminopathies?
groups of disorders associated with the mutations that affect the proteins of the nuclear membrane or lamina (dystrophies and dysplasias)
What must take place before DNA replication?
pre-replication complex which is composed of 4 proteins
What are the four steps for pre-replication complex?
- origin recognition complex binds to the origin of replication
2 & 3. Two regulatory proteins (CDC6 and CDT1) ensure the cell is prepared for DNA replication
- minichromosome maintenance complex contains the proteins essential for the establishment of the REPLICATION FORK
What is the replication fork?
point where the two DNA strands separate into leading strand and lagging strand and DNA copying occurs
What enzyme is responsible for the first step in DNA replication after the pre-replication complex?
DNA Helicase unwinds the DNA double helix
What happens on the leading strand?
DNA polymerase replicates the DNA strand from the 5’ to 3’ direction towards the replication fork; process is continuous
What happens on the lagging strand?
DNA polymerase adds short chains of nucleic acids, called Okazaki fragments in the 5’ to 3’ direction away from the replication fork
What is the role of the enzyme DNA ligase?
Joins the Okazaki fragments on the lagging strand
What is the role of DNA topoisomerase?
cuts the phosphate backbone, “untangles” the DNA strands, and then repairs the cut leaving the DNA unaltered
What is Transcription?
synthesis of mRNA from DNA; RNA polymerase transcribes DNA strand (only one strand - known as template trand) from 3’ to 5’ direction
What is the main difference between replication and transcription?
in transcription, multiple RNA polymerase can transcribe on a single DNA gene sequence. CANNOT have this during DNA replication
How does reverse transcriptase inhibitors (retrovirals) effect HIV?
inhibit the enzyme for reverse transcriptase (viral enzyme that copies its RNA to DNA, aka Retrovirus)
What is the genetic code?
3 bases = 1 codon and 1 codon = 1 AA. **AA can be represented by more than 1 codon