Eukaryotic RNA pol II and Transcription Factors

Question 1

What types of proteins are involved in eukaryotic transcription?

Answer 1

• RNA polymerases
• General transcription factors (GTFs) for the core promoter element
• Transcription factors
• Mediators
  Other regulatory proteins

Question 2

What genes does RNA polymerase I transcribe?

Answer 2

rRNA genes

Question 3

What genes does RNA polymerase II transcribe?

Answer 3

mRNA, miRNA, snRNA, snoRNA genes

Question 4

What genes does RNA polymerase III code for?

Answer 4

tRNA and 5S rRNA genes and other functional RNA.

Question 5

What do general transcription factors (GTFs) do?

Answer 5

Help RNA polymerase II interact with the core promoter elements.

Question 6

List the 6 GTFs used to initiate transcription from the class II promoter?

Answer 6

• GTFIIA
• GTFIIB
• GTFIID
• GTFIIE
• GTFIIF
• GTFIIH

Question 7

Where do activator proteins bind?

Answer 7

To enhancer DNA elements, 1000s of base pairs upstream from core promoter.

Question 8

What does the mediator protein do in eukaryotic transcription?

Answer 8

Bridges the interaction between the activator/enhancer and the proteins bound to the core promoter elements.

Question 9

Can multiple activators associate with the activator?

Answer 9

Yes

Question 10

What is the implication of having multiple activators/enhancerS?

Answer 10

Allows cells to control transcription more precisely.