Lecture 22-23: Gene Expression Flashcards
Gene expression definition
process of using the
information in DNA to produce functional molecules
within the cell.
What are the functional molecules made during gene expression?
proteins, RNA molecules (such as mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA), and regulatory molecules.
Why is gene regulation important?
to respond appropriately to environmental cues, developmental signals, and physiological demands.
What are the steps of gene expression?
What is the biggest difference between these two processes of gene expression?
left is prokaryotes and right eukaryotes
in prokaryotes, there is no nucleus so transcription and translation occur simultaneously
What is the overall goal of transcription?
to convert the sequence of nucleotides in the DNA to a sequence of nucleotides in an RNA molecule.
What are the major players in transcription?
*Blueprints: DNA acts as the blueprints.
*Building Blocks: Nucleotides are the building blocks.
*Biological Catalyst: RNA polymerase acts as the biological catalyst.
Give an overview of transcription.
What are the phases of transcription
Components of a gene
Where is the promoter located?
upstream of the transcribed sequence
How is transcription initiated?
Transcription factors bind to the promoter and recruit RNA polymerase to the gene
In what two ways do promoters direct the transcription of a gene?
determines:
1.which DNA strand is to serve as the template strand and
2. where RNA synthesis starts.
What is a holoenzyme?
RNA and sigma form a holoenzyme
bacterial RNA polymerase
Acts as a transcription initiation
factor.
Synthesizes RNA from a DNA
template
What part of the holoenzyme recognizes and binds to the promoter?
the sigma
What allows to build a consensus sequence and provide spacing information.
Analyzing several versions of the sequence element from different genes
What is the use of mutagenesis and other similar techniques?
to confirm important sequence elements that control transcription.
How can you find the consensus sequence and spacing information in a promoter?
example: Comparing the -35 and -10 boxes in several different E. coli genes
How does eukaryote transcription differ from prokaryote transcription?
- 3 types of RNA polymerase, bacteria only 1
-
Requires several transcription factors for RNA polymerase
to bind and initiate transcription; bacterial RNA polymerase can bind to the DNA directly with the help of a single sigma factor to initiate transcription -
RNA cleavage (cutting) by an endonuclease produces the
3’ end of the transcript and releases it. (dont need to know bateria) - Newly formed RNA typically undergoes extensive RNA
processing. bacterial RNA is usually translated into protein directly after being transcribed.
What type of genes does the DNA polymerase I in eukaryotes transcribe?
What type of genes does the DNA polymerase II in eukaryotes transcribe?
What type of genes does the DNA polymerase III in eukaryotes transcribe?
How does a polymerase recognize a gene it is to transcribe?
With the help of transcription factors, it binds to the right promoters
What is the TATA box?
unique sequence in promoters for RNA pol II
Where is the TATA box located?
about 30 base pairs
upstream of the transcription
start site.
What is the pre-initiation complex and the initiation complex?
What happens during elongation? (second phase of transcription)
Are RNA proofreading mechanisms as important as DNA proofreading?
No, RNA proofreading mechanisms are less important because RNA errors are usually temporary and do not affect genetic inheritance.
What are the control elements?
What is the function of control elements?
What is the process responsible for governing the level of transcription of a gene in a particular cell type and in response to a given stimulus?
the binding of transcription initiation factors to control elements in the DNA, which directs RNA polymerase recruitment to the promoter.
What type of molecules are transcription factors?
Regulatory proteins
What are the two types of transcription factors?
- General transcription factors
- Specialized transcription factors
What’s another way to call general transcription factors?
basal transcription factors
What do general transcription factors do?
bind promoter elements and are required to form the initiation complex
What level(s) of transcription do general transcription factors result in?
moderate levels
What level(s) of transcription do specialized transcription factors result in?
high and low levels of transcription
How do you call specialized transcription factors for high levels of transcription?
activators
How do you call specialized transcription factors for low levels of transcription?
repressors
Give an example of a gene transcribed at moderate levels
Give an example of a gene transcribed at high levels
Give an example of a gene transcribed at low levels