Lecture 1 White "Gene Expression 1" Flashcards
What are the two things that gene regulation requires?
- short stretches of DNA of defined sequence- recognition sites for DNA binding proteins
- Gene regulatory proteins; transcription factors that will bind and activate
True or false: DNA binding motifs are only proximal to the first exon
False: They can be proximal or distal to the first exon
Describe how a DNA motif is recognized
The regulatory proteins associate with the major groove and bind to the bases
The surface of the protein is complementary to the surface of the DNA to which it binds (4 possible configurations)
What are the four possible configurations of the base pairs in DNA motif recognition?
- possible H bond donors
- possible H bond acceptors
- methyl groups
- hydrogen atoms
How many interactions does a typical protein-DNA interaction involve?
10-20 interactions
Which modules will a transcription factor be sure it has in its sequence?
DNA binding module
Activation module
Which modules MIGHT a transcription factor have but is not necessarily required?
Dimerization module
Regulatory module
Describe the basics of the Gal4 protein experiment.
What was it testing?
What did it do (molecular level)
- It was testing to see if the transcription factors were in fact, modular; wanted to map out the binding and activation domains of the yeast Gal4 protein
- Difference mutant GAL4 proteins were tested to see which combinations allowed the binding to the UAS and the galactosidase activity
What are the 4 DNA binding domain structural motifs?
- Helix turn helix
- Zinc finger motif
- Leucine zipper
- Helix loop helix
Describe the helix turn helix motif
simplest and most common
2 alpha helices connected by amino acids that turn at a fixed angle
Which module is the recognition module in the helix turn helix motif?
The longer helix, fits into the major groove of the DNA; side chains recognize the DNA motif
Describe the zinc finger domain
binding motif includes a Zn
binds to the major groove of the DNA
found in tandem clusters
there are usually multiple contact points
Why is the zinc finger domain called the finger domain?
Because when you draw it out with the amino acid ish, apparently it looks like a finger
Leucine zipper motif
- two alpha helical binding domain
- grabs the DNA like a clothespin
- activation and dimer domains overlap
- interactions between hydrophobic side chains
What helps to from the zipper structure in the Leucine zipper motif?
There is a leucine residue every 7 amino acids down the side of the alpha helix
Describe the helix loop helix domain
- short alpha chain connected to a longer alpha chain
- homo or heterodimers
What are the 3 domains that are commonly found in the helix loop helix domain?
DNA binding domain
dimerization domain
activation domain
Describe homeodomain proteins
- contain homodomain
- homodomain is three alpha helices
- helix-turn-helix motif
Describe the beta sheet DNA recognition proteins
- 2 stranded beta sheets with beta strands
- connected by backbone of hydrogen bonds
- twisted pleated sheet
- binds to the major groove
True or false: Hereditary Spherocytosis is dominantly inherited
TRUE