Lecture 13 Flashcards
what are the steps involved in the flow of genetic information (from gene to protein)
- transcription: the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template
- translation: the process of synthesizing protein from an RNA template
compare DNA and RNA
DNA:
- Bases include: A, T, C, G
- contains 2’ hydrogen
- linear polymer
- usually double stranded
RNA:
- bases include: A, U, G, C
- contains 2’ hydroxyl
- linear polymer
- almost always single stranded
What is the difference between between the sugar in RNA and DNA
- DNA has deoxyribose sugar
- RNA has ribose sugar
RNA can form …
non conventional base pair interactions that allow for the ability to adopt a variety of shapes
what does transcription produce
- transcription produces an RNA transcript that is complementary to the template strand except it uses uracil instead of thymine
what are the similarities between transcription and DNA replication
- DNA needs to be unwound
- one DNA strand acts as a template
- NTPs (instead of dNTPs) are added one at a time in a 5’ to 3’ manner
what are the key differences between transcription and DNA replication
- the newly synthesized RNA is displaced and DNA reforms a double helix
- RNA molecules are much shorter
- RNA polymerase catalyze the polymerization instead of DNA polymerase
- uses NTPs instead of dNTPs
- can start RNA chain without a primer
gene expression
- includes the process of transcription and/or translation
what is mRNAs function
code for proteins
RNA polymerase
- several RNA polymerase can be working on the same gene at the same time
what is the general sequence of events of transcription in bacteria
- RNA polymerase binds tightly to a promoter: a specific sequence immediately upstream from transcription start site (where RNA transcription begins)
- double helix is opened, transcription begins using one strand as a template
- transcription stops when RNA polymerase encounters a specific sequence known as the terminator (stop site)
- RNA and RNA polymerase dissociate from the DNA
the bacterial promoter
- both promoter and and terminator have conserved sequences
- the numbers represent the nucleotide position relative to the first nucleotide transcribed
- the promoter has conserved sequences at -10 and -35 regions
- these regions are bound by a subunit of the RNA polymerase know as the sigma factor
how does bacterial RNA polymerase correctly bind to RNA
- a single RNA polymerase transcribes the major RNAs in bacteria
- RNA polymerase posses a sigma factor which recognizes where to begin transcription
- the sigma factor bind to -10 and -35 regions in only one direction ensuring RNA polymerase binds in one orientation
what five ways does eukaryotic transcription differs from prokaryotic transcription
- has a greater number of RNA polymerase (3)
- requires general transcription factors
- has a more elaborate control mechanism
- has to take DNA packing into account
- processes mRNA
what genes are transcribed by RNA polymerase II
- all protein coding genes, miRNA genes, plus genes for non coding RNA (those in spliceosomes)