gene expression Flashcards
upstream
before
downstream
after
RNA synthesis is catalyzed by
RNA pol using ssDNA as a template
core bacterial RNA polymerase
Core cannot directly interact with DNA - this function requires association of the core with a sigma factor
After initiation of transcription, sigma factor is released from RNAP holoenzyme
Strong promoters
Sigma factor makes sequence specific contacts with the promoter via the -10 and -35 regions
“Strength” of a promoter is dictated by affinity of sigma for these regions
Higher affinity = stronger promoter
Protein binding site is protected from DNAseI by protein binding
does RNA pol require a primer
RNA pol can catalyze de novo synthesis of polynucleotides (does NOT require a primer)
5’ end of the transcript will carry a triphosphate from the first NTP
RNAP uses ssDNA
RNAP maintains a region of ssDNA as it transcribes RNA
Transcription induces torsional stress, which is relieved by topoisomerases/gyrases
How are DNA replication and RNA transcription similar?
Both use ssDNA as template, template is always 3’ to 5’
Both make phosphodiester bonds RNApol uses NTPs DNApol uses dNTPs
Both synthesize nucleic acid 3’ to 5’
How are DNA replication and RNA transcription different?
RNApol starts at promoters, DNApol starts at origins of replication
But both have AT rich regions
DNA copies whole genome, RNA copies only discrete regions of genome
DNA ends with ds product, RNA ends with ss product
regulation of transcription in bacteria
Gene expression in bacteria is controlled by regulating whether or not a gene is expressed
Genes that work in common pathways are regulated together in units called operons
polycistronic
A single mRNA is made that codes for multiple proteins: polycistronic
operons
Operator and promoter are control regions (upstream of structural genes)
lacI
lacI = repressor protein
When lacI is bound to operator, transcription is off
lactose operon structural genes
lacZ, lacY, and lacA are structural genes: code for proteins needed to metabolize lactose
in vivo inducer
lactose is in vivo inducer
in vitro inducer
IPTG is lactose analog
no lactose
Without lactose, a repressor prevents transcription of the structural genes
lacI gene codes for lacI repressor protein
This protein is made constitutively (ALWAYS)
with lactose
With lactose, repressor binds lactose and releases the operator
binding site for lac repressor protein
Many DNA binding sites have palindromic symmetry
The region from -5 to +21 is protected from DNAseI when lacI is bound
what is required for full activation of lac operon
absence of glucose
absence of glucose
Glucose is a preferred carbon source and will be used completely before lactose
“Catabolite repression”
An increase in cAMP signals the absence of glucose
cAMP binds CAP, which binds the promoter and stimulates transcription
binding of CAP-cAMP induces,
DNA bending
Bending enhances RNAP holoenzyme binding
arabinose operon (araBAD
Arabinose is a pentose that can be a carbon source
Its degradation requires 3 enzymes found in the araBAD operon
Transcription is regulated by both catabolite repression and arabinose-based induction
araC gene
araC gene product binds arabinose and has a DNA binding domain
araC protein acts as BOTH an inducer and a repressor (depends on cellular conditions)