Gene Regulation Flashcards
purpose of aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (ARS)
“recharge” “empty” tRNAs with the correct amino acid
how many ARS’s do we have?
one ARS for each amino acid; specific for one amino acid
enzymatic basis of the genetic code
aminoacyl tRNA synthetases
the redundancy in the genetic code arises because
some amino acids are coded for by multiple codons
where does transcription and translation happen in eukaryotes?
transcription happens in the nucleus; translation happens in the cytoplasm
where does transcription happen in prokaryotes?
prokaryotes have no nucleus, so transcription and translation can happen simultaneously in the cytoplasm
do prokaryotes do RNA processing?
prokaryotes don’t have introns and don’t process RNA transcripts (no splicing, caps, or tails)
why are genes differentially regulated?
every cell in our body has the same genome; however the body consists of trillions of cells and millions of distinct cell types
define differential gene expression (gene regulation)
results in different cell types expressing (transcribing and translating) different proteins
what is a cell’s structure and function defined by?
which genes it turns on and which genes it turns off
ARS genes are an example of what kind of genes
housekeeping genes
what allows cells and organisms to respond to their environment?
gene regulation
mechanism of insulin
high BG —> pancreatic B cells detect high BG —> B cells transcribe and translate more insulin —> insulin tells fat cells to take in glucose —> lower BG
how are alpha cells different from beta cells?
alpha cells always make glucagon and store it up until it is needed
where can gene expression be regulated?
transcription, pre-mRNA processing, mRNA degradation, translation, post-translational modifications to proteins, protein degradation
what is the main process controlling if a gene is turned on/off and at what level (how much protein is expressed)?
transcriptional regulation
where is the promoter located?
right next to the first exon
what are enhancers and where are they located?
transcription factors must bind enhancers in order to bind the promoter, but enhancers can be located far from the gene (before, after, or in the introns)
what are CIS-Regulatory Elements (CREs)?
DNA sequences on the same (cis) piece of DNA as a gene that regulate transcription of the gene
examples of CREs
enhancers and promoters
what must happen for transcription factors to bind enhancers and promoters at the same time?
the DNA between the enhancers and promoters bends