Gene expression and its control BI501 Flashcards
Name the 3 characteristics of mRNA that make it different to DNA
1) single stranded
2) ribose sugar instead of deoxyribose
3) Uracil replaces Thymine
That is the name of the region that regulates transcription?
Promoter region
What are the 4 stages of transcription?
1) Template recognition
2) Initiation of transcription (Steps 1&2 are INITIATION)
3) ELONGATION
4) TERMINATION
Name 3 characteristics of prokaryotes
Single celled
lack membrane bound organelles
divided into bacteria and archea
Name 3 differences between gene expression if prokaryotes and eukaryotes
Pro: transcription and translation occur in same place
Eu: Transcription in nucleus, translation in cytoplasm
Pro: single type of RNAP used to produce mRNA, rRNA and tRNA
Eu: 3 RNAP’s
Pro: Genes organised into operons
Eu: No operons
What are operons and how are they regulated?
Operons are clusters of co-regulated genes that are structurally or metabolically similar
Regulated so the gene clusters are either all on or all off
How are proteins produced using operons?
Genes are transcribed into a single RNA (polycistronic) that is translated into different proteins
What 2 things does transcription require?
1) cis-acting elements (promoter)
2) trans-acting elements (RNAP and transcription factors)
Where are bacterial promoters typically located?
Upstream or at the 5’ end of the transcription initiation site
The promoter sequence defines both the direction of transcription and which strand will be transcribed. What is this strand known as?
Sense strand
What are the 5 motifs in prokaryotic promoters and what part of the RNAP recognises each?
> the -35
the extended -10
the -10
discriminator motifs (all recognised by sigma factor)
UP element (recognised by the C-terminal domain of the RNAalpha-subunit)
What does the RNAP holoenzyme consist of?
Core enzyme and the sigma factor
What is the core enzyme made up of?
- 2 alpha subunits
- 2 beta subunits
- 1 omega subunit
What are the functions of the beta subunits?
Make up the “catalytic center”
- Primary channel which DNA passes through
- Secondary channel which substrate ribonucleotides pass through
- Exit channel that the RNA leaves through
What are the functions of the dimer formed by 2 alpha subunits?
- serves as scaffold for assembly of core enzyme
- contribute to promoter recognition
- bind some activators
What is the function of the omega subunit?
Plays a role in enzyme assembly
What are the 2 most important functions of the sigma factors?
1) Directing the catalytic core of the RNAP to the appropriate transcription start sites
2) Suppressing Nonspecific Transcription Initiation
Which sigma factor domains have DNA binding elements and which prokaryotic binding motif do they bind to?
- sigma4 binds the -35 motif
- sigma3 binds the extended -10 motif
- sigma2 binds to the -10 and discriminator motifs
Can free sigma factors bind to DNA promoters?
No
Sigma factors must be coupled with the core enzyme in order to interact with the promoter
What are the 2 mechanisms that contribute to suppressing the DNA-binding capacity of free sigma factors?
1) Conformational restriction
2) Auto-inhibitory restriction
In what 2 ways do sigma factors suppress nonspecific transcription initiation?
1) Free sigma factors suppress the core enzyme do it doesn’t initiate transcription at non promoter DNA sites
2) N-terminal sigma1.1 domain suppresses nonspecific DNA binding in the RNAP active site cleft
What is the transcription bubble?
RNAP unwinds 13 bp of DNA after it locates a promoter through recognition of DNA motifs
What occurs after a transcription bubble is formed?
Nucleotides are incorporated into RNA and a ternary complex is formed (complex containing RNA, DNA and the enzyme)
How are oligonucleotides produced and typically how long are they?
Produced by repeated cycles of abortive initiation
approx 20nt long