Lecture 6

Question 1

Learning Objectives

Answer 1

Question 2

The “Central Dogma” of Molecular
Biology

Answer 2

DNA makes RNA and that makes proteins

Question 3

RNA vs. DNA: 3 Major Differences

Answer 3

Question 4

Chemical Structure of RNA

Answer 4

Question 5

Secondary and Tertiary Structures in the RNA by Base-pairing

Answer 5

Question 6

tRNA structure

Answer 6

Question 7

The 3 major types of RNAs in all cells

Answer 7

Question 8

…but there are more specialised RNAs in eukaryotes

Answer 8

Question 9

Structure of bacterial and eukaryotic mRNA
molecules

Answer 9

Question 10

…but RNA is never «naked» in a cell but
immediately covered by a host of proteins…

Answer 10

Question 11

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and RNAs
form Ribonucleoprotein Complexes (RNPs)

Answer 11

Question 12

Modular Structure of RNA-binding Proteins

Answer 12

Question 13

Example: RNA Recognition Motif (RRM)

Answer 13

Question 14

Gene Expression in Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Answer 14

Question 15

The carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA
polymerase II acts as scaffold for assembly of
RNA processing factors

Answer 15

Question 16

The cap structure at the 5’-end of eukaryotic mRNAs

Answer 16

Question 17

Eukaryotic genes contain exons and introns

Answer 17

Question 18

The pre-mRNA splicing reaction

Answer 18

Question 19

Nucleotide sequences define where splicing
occurs

Answer 19

Question 20

RNA splicing is performed by the Spliceosome

Answer 20

Question 21

Model of spliceosome
mediated splicing

Answer 21

Question 22

Model of spliceosome
mediated splicing pt 2

Answer 22

Question 23

Exon definition hypothesis: additional factors (SR
proteins) help to guide snRNPs to splice-sites

Answer 23

Question 24

Alternative splicing in eukaryotes:
generating mRNA variants from the same
gene

Answer 24

Question 25

Example: Alternative splicing of the −
tropomyosin gene

Answer 25

Question 26

Mutation of splice-sites or in splicing
factors can cause disease !

Answer 26

Question 27

Eukaryotic mRNAs have a poly(A) tail at the 3’end

Answer 27

Question 28

Cleavage and polyadenylation at 3’end of eukaryotic
pre-mRNAs

Answer 28

Question 29

Generation of 3’-ends of eukaryotic
mRNAs

Answer 29

Question 30

Summary

Answer 30

Question 31

Supplement 1: Base modifications in mRNAs

Answer 31

Question 32

Supplement 2:
Addition of the 5’ cap

Answer 32

Question 33

Supplement 3: Pumilio (PUM) Homology Domain

Answer 33

Question 34

Supplement 4: Isolation of mRNAs via
oligo(dT) beads

Answer 34