lecture 1 Flashcards
what is gene expression?
the process by which information in genes (DNA) is decoded into protein
how do cells react to changes in their environment?
changing the number, identity and level of genes they express
what does gene expression drive?
cellular identity
what is transcription?
transfer of genetic information from double stranded DNA to single stranded RNA (mRNA)
how does transcription in prokaryotes (bacteria) occur?
- holoenzyme makes contact with sequences upstream
- RNA polymerase makes initial contact with promoter sequence to form closed complex
- DNA prized open over transcription start site to become ssDNA
- template strand used to make RNA copy
- sigma factor is released
what does the promoter region contain?
signals that tell RNA polymerase to bind and start transcription
what does the holoenzyme consist of?
RNA polymerase + sigma factor
what are promoters?
cis acting DNA regulatory element through which transcription is initiated and controlled
what are the core/basal promoter elements (eukaryotic promoters)?
CpG islands
what do 60-70% of protein coding genes lack in mammals?
obvious TATA and initiator element
what are promoters associated with?
regions with high frequency of CG rich sequences
what is methylation of CpG islands associated with?
silencing of the promoter (transcription turned off)
what is the definition of UAS?
upstream activating sequence
what is the function of the UAS?
activator binding sites - enhances or promotes transcription
what is the definition of URS?
upstream repressor sequence
what is the function of the URS?
repressor/silencing binding sites - inhibits initiation of transcription
what are the tools for identifying promoter elements?
- sequence comparison (identification of TATA box)
- reporter analysis
what is the function of reporter genes?
encode proteins whose levels can be easily measured
what are examples of reporter genes?
GFP, luciferase, LacZ
what does the amount of reporter protein measure?
gene expression
what is the amount of reported G protein proportional to?
activity of the promoter
what can reporter genes be used to identify?
when a gene is expressed, where its expressed, what signals it responds to, what factors and sequences control its expression