Gene Expression Flashcards
A multi step process that ultimately results in the production of a functional gene product (either ribonucleotide acid or a protein)
Gene expression
What are the two classification of genes?
- housekeeping
- regulated
Housekeeping genes
- involved in basic cellular functions that are requires regardless of the cell type or environmental cues
- constitutively expressed and not regulated
Regulated genes
- required only in certain cells types and/or only under certain conditions
- subject to various control mechanisms that determine if and when these genes will be expressed
What is the main site of gene control in prokaryotes?
Transcription
Gene regulation in eukaryotes
- transcriptional
- Post-transcription
- Translation
- Post translation
What is rresponsible for sophisticated gene regulation control in eukaryotes?
Nucleus separation
Regulatory molecules
- Depressors
2. Activators
Regulatory molecules that suppress the transcription of a gene?
Repressors
Regulatory molecules that increase the transcription of a gene
Activators
Types of operons
- Repressible
2. Inducible
Repressible operon
Transcription is usually on but can be inhibited
Inducible operon
Transcription is usually off by can be stimulated
What is the preferred carbon source for E. coli?
Glucose
Can E coli use other sugars?
Yes, however, this requires more enzymes (and energy) so E. coli only produces the enzymes to use other sugars if glucose is absent and another sugar is present
When does E coli produce the enzymes to use other sugars?
- glucose is absent
- another sugar is present (lactose)
Is the lac operon off or on when only glucose is present?
Off
What is the repressor protein encoded by?
Lacl gene
Repressor protein for the lac operon when glucose only is present
- encoded by lacl gene
- always present and bound to the operator
- blocks RNA polymerase
Adenyly cyclase when the lac operon is off
- Glucose present
- glucose inhibits adenyly cyclase, no cAMP, cannot form CAP/cAMP complex, cannot initiate transcription
Lac operon when lactose is present
Its on
When the lac operon is on and glucose is absent
Adenyly cyclase makes cAMP, CAP/cAMP complex forms, binds to CAP binding site, RNA polymerase can efficiently initiate transcription
When glucose is absent and the lac operon is on, what can efficiently initiate transcription?
RNA polymerase
If the lac operon is on and lactose is present
A small amount of allolactose is produced that binds to the repressor, and prevents it from binding to the operator
When lactose is present, what is produced?
Allolactose
Lac operon when both glucose and lactose are present
Off
when lactose is present and the lac operon is off
A small amount of allolactose is produced that binds to the repressor and prevents it from binding to the operator
Transcription when lac operon is off in the presence of lactose and glucose
Although the repressor is inactive, the transcription can not be initiated because the CAP site is empty
Why do eukaryotes have 5 different levels of transcription?
We are more complex and need more cell types
What is regulation of transcription controlled by in eukaryotes?
Regulatory sequences of DNA
What are the regulatory sequences of DNA in eukaryotic transcription control
- usually embedded in the noncoding regions of the genome
- cis-acting
- interacts with trans acting regulators
Where are the regulatory sequences of DNA imbedded in?
Noncoding regions of the genome
What are these regulatroy sequences of DNA that are embedded in the noncoding region of the genome called?
Cis-acting
Why are the regulatory sequences of DNA that are embedded in the noncoding regions of the genome called cis-acting
They influence expression of genes only on the same chromosome