Effects of Exercise on Gene Expression

Question 1

What is gene expression?

Answer 1

the process of using genes (instructions for DNA) to create proteins

Question 2

Gene expression control involves regulating ___________.

Answer 2

gene product (protein or RNA) levels

Question 3

Upregulation and downregulation? Which is the main way to control genes in eukaryotes?

Answer 3

Induction and Repression; Induction

Question 4

What are the control points in gene expression?

Answer 4

1) Transcription
2) RNA Processing
3) Transport to Cytosol
4) RNA Degradation
5) Translation
6) Proteolysis
7) Post-Translational Modification and Targeting

Question 5

How and why do we monitor gene expression?

Answer 5

By measuring RNA and protein levels in muscles or other tissues over time (over a 24-hour period). This is for understanding how gene products change in response to exercise and recovery.

Question 6

Give 3 examples of exercise-induced changes that may modify gene expression?

Answer 6

1) Decrease in ATP, increase in ADP and AMP
2) Decrease in glycogen concentration
3) decrease in oxygen concentration (hypoxia)

Question 7

What are the 2 mechanisms of exercise-induced muscle hypertrophy?

Answer 7

1) the mTORC1 Pathway
2) Satellite cell activation

Question 8

What activates mTORC1?

Answer 8

Resistance exercise activates mTORC1 through:
- phosphorylation of mTOR
- Allosteric effects on the entire complex

Question 9

What does mTORC1 target?

Answer 9

Phosphorylates 2 key proteins:
- 4EBP1
- S6K1

Question 10

What exercise might cause ribosomal biogenesis?

Answer 10

resistance exercise may induce the generation of new ribosomes

Question 11

What are satellite cells?

Answer 11

they are adult stem cells located near muscle fibers

Question 12

Satellite cells contain primarily a _______ and play a crucial role in ___________.

Answer 12

nucleus, muscle repair/growth

Question 13

Mitochondrial content increase involves __________ or _________.

Answer 13

mitochondrial biogenesis, hypertrophy

Question 14

Mitochondrial proteins synthesis relies on ________ and _________.

Answer 14

nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA

Question 15

Transcription is controlled by _________ and __________.

Answer 15

transcription factors, coactivators

Question 16

What is the nuclear and mitochondrial transcription factor “double agent” ?

Answer 16

p53

Question 17

What is the main transcription coactivator?

Answer 17

PGC1-alpha

Question 18

For PGC1-alpha to do its job it must undergo which two types of reversible changes?

Answer 18

phosphorylation (active) and acetylation (less active)

Question 19

Endurance exercise increases ____ and _____ activity and content in the muscle, promoting mitochondrial biogenesis.

Answer 19

PGC1-alpha and p53

Question 20

What is Ca2+ used for? What happens as a result?

Answer 20

Send signals through the body, to the receiver calmodulin. Increased cytosolic Ca2+ levels contribute to greater muscle mitochondrial content.

Question 21

WADA (world anti-doping agency) prohibited list

Answer 21

Synthetic compounds that increase mitochondrial growth:
- Activators of AMPK
- PPAR-delta Agonists