Exam 1 Flashcards
What are the classes of functional, non-protein coding sequences
Promotor and enhancer regions (binding sight for TF)
Binding sights that maintain higher order chromatin structures
Regulatory RNAs (micro and long non-coding RNA)
Mobile genetic elements (transposons)
Telomeres and centromeres
What is the difference between euchromatin and heterochromatin
Euchromatin is transcriptively active
Heterochromatin is densely packed
What regulates chromosome separation at metaphase
Kinechtocore complex
Is there a greater or less GC content in bands
Less
What are the two most common forms of DNA variation in the human genome
Single nucleotide polymorphisms and copy number variations
What are SNPs
Variants at single nucleotide positions; almost always biallelic
What is linkage disequilibrium
If you have a neutral SNP but subsequently have a disease-associated gene as a result of physical proximity, the sNP and genetic factor are said to be in linkage disequilibrium
What is the difference between CNV and SNPs
CNVs can be biallelic but can also have complex rearrangements of genomic material with multiple alleles; CNVs also are involved in a greater percentage of coding sequences *indicates involvement in phenotypic diversity
What do chromatin remodeling complexes do
Reposition nucleosomes on DNA, exposing or obscuring gene regulatory elements
What do chromatin writer complexes do
Initiate covalent modifications of histones
Describe histone methylation
Lysine and arginines can be methylated by writer enzymes; can be associated with transcriptional activity or repression based on which histone residue is marked
Describe histone aceytlation
Lysine residues are acetylated by histone acetyl transferase, which opens chromatin ; reversed by deacetylation
Describe histone phosphorylation
Serine residues phosphorylated and depending on the residue, will either open or condense chromatin
Describe DNA methylation
results in transcriptional silencing; regulated by methyltransferases, demethylating enzymes and methylated DNA binding proteins
How many nucleotides are long no coding rNAs
> 200
What is the function of micro RNAs
Modulate the translation of target mRNAs into their proteins; *impt for posttranscriptional gene regulation
What is DICER important for?
Processing miRNAs after transcription; generates mature single-stranded miRNA associated with a multiprotein aggregate called RNA-induced silencing complex
What is the function of rNA-induced silencing complex (RISC)
When the miRNA binds to its corresponding base pairs on target mRNA, it directs the RISC to either induce mRNA cleavage or repress its translation
What is a seed sequence
All mRNAs have this sequence in their 3’ untranslated region (UTR) that determines the specificity of the miRNA binding and gene silencing
What are small interfering RNAs
They serve as substrates for DICER and interact with RISC similarly to miRNAs; used in lab to determine gene function and developing as therapeutic agents for oncogenes
What is XIST
An example of long noncoding RNA; transcribed from X chromosome and then provides repressive cloak over X chromosome and silences gen
Describe how miRNAs are made
Transcribed to a primary RNA which is processed in the nucleus to make pre-miRNA (ssRNA with secondary hairpin loop that form stretches of dsrNA); pre-mRNA exported out of nucleus and DICER trims it in cytoplasm to generate mature ds miRNAs; miRNA then unwinds and the single strands are incorporated into RISC
What are the roles of long noncoding RNA
Facilitate TF binding and promote gene activation
Bind TF and prevent gene transcription
Histone and DNA modification can be directed by binding of them
Can stabilize secondary or tertiary structures that influence chromatin structure
What are the functions that all differentiated cells must perform
Protection from environment, nutrient acquisition, communication, movement, renewal of senescent molecules, molecule catabolism, energy generation