Exam Two Flashcards
DNA polymerase fails to incorporate a
ribonucleotide
Things that contribute to the complex structure of RNA
- Base pairing
- Base stacking
- Hydrophobic interactions of bases
- Repulsion of negatively charged phosphate groups
Things that will denature RNA
- high temperature
- hydrogen bonding reagents
- methanol
- decreased salt concentration
- pH
The 2’ hydroxyl makes RNA susceptible to
Alkaline Hydrolysis
Three majors types of RNA
mRNA, tRNA, rRNA
mRNA function
template for protein synthesis
mRNA stability
Unstable, half life of three minutes
tRNA function
Adapter between mRNA and amino acids
tRNA stability
Stable
rRNA function
The heart of the ribosomes that synthesizes protein
rRNA subunits
5S, 16S, 23S (bacteria)
rRNA stability
Stable
Regulatory RNAs
Small RNAs that can be important for regulation by annealing to mRNAs
Catalytic RNAs
Ribozymes that can carry out enzymatic reactions that usually affect other RNAs (but not all)
Core Polymerase function
- capable of performing the enzymatic function
- interacts with a series of auxiliary proteins that provide regulation
Sigma Factor function
Required for recognition of the promoter
Characteristics of strong promoters
- they match the consensus
- frequent initiation = lots of gene product
Characteristics of weak promoters
- they DO NOT match the consensus
- infrequent initiation = low levels of product
Rho-Independent (Intrinsic) Termination
- hairpin formation in RNA transcript assisted by NusA
- Hairpin structure is recognized by RNA polymerase
- Transcription stops and RNA is released
Rho-dependent Termination
- Depends on coupling of transcription and translation of mRNA
- RNA pol pauses to check ribosome progress
- If ribosomes lag, Rho binds RNA and causes termination
A mutation in a gene in an operon can stop downstream genes from being transcribed. This mutation is said to be
Polar
What does sedimentation coefficient mean?
Measures how fast a molecule travels to the bottom of a centrifuge tube in a viscous solution. Depends on shape and density
Polymerase I subunits
14 protein subunits
Polymerase I function
Transcribes rRNAs (18S, 28S, 5.8S)