Lecture Exam 2 Flashcards
Operon
Set of genes transcribed as a single mRNA, under the control of one promoter. Transcription/translation simultaneous.
Promoter
rRNA polymerase binding site, to do transcription. Produces mRNA.
Genes that code for proteins
Structural genes
Genes that regulate structural genes
Regulatory genes, make regulatory proteins
Genes that are always expressed (~75%)
Constitutive genes
Genes that are turned on/off as a cell’s needs change
Facultative genes. Inducible/repressible operons.
Inducible operons
Off by default. Activated by inducers. Lactose operon
Lactose operon
In absence of lactose operon is OFF. Repressor protein binds to operator, blocking RNA polymerase. In presence of lactose operon gets turned ON, RNA polymerase can work. Genes get turned back off when lactose levels go down
Repressible operon
ON by default. Must be turned off by co-repressors. Tryptophan operon.
Tryptophan operon
When tryp levels are low operon is ON, RNA polymerase is transcribing DNA. As long as levels are low operon will stay on. When tryp levels are high operon is turned off by allosteric activation.
Transfer of DNA between cells of the same generation
Horizontal gene transfer
3 Mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer
- Transformation
- Transduction
- Conjucation
Bacterial cell takes up naked DNA from environment
Transformation
Viral mistake, virus brings in new DNA
Transduction
DNA sharing via pilus, plasma DNA is shared
Conjugation
Property of cells that can naturally be transformed
Competency.
Manipulation of cells so they can be transformed
Artificial competency
Gene transfer via bacteriophage
Transduction
Generalized transduction
Lytic phage! Mistake made during the packaging of a random DNA fragment from the host bacterial chromosome into the bacteriophage.
Specialized transduction
Lysogenic phage! Mistake in the excision of a prophage from a host chromosome results in some bacterial DNA becoming attached to viral DNA.
Conjugation
Requires contact via sex pilus. F+ pilus holds to F-, each cell gets a copy of the other, allowing for exponential sharing of this plasmid. These plasmids often contain abs resistance genes.
Mutation
Change in the nucleotide (DNA) sequence of a gene. Can be repaired, sometimes.
Causes of mutation
- Spontaneous: unrepaired mistakes by replication enzymes. Cells 1 in 250, Viruses 1 in 250,000 bases replicated. Viruses mutate more rapidly.
- Induced: external forces increase the mutation rate, up to 1000x greater. Chemical or physical agents.
Mutagen
UV light = physical mutagen. Causes thymine dimers.
UV mutation repair (2)
Excision repair
Light repair - photo reactivation.
HA in influenza
Attachment to host cell. Primary target of vaccines.
Antigenic drift
Spontaneous mutations during RNA copying lead to minor changes in HAs. Increase in # of cases every 2 years.
Antigenic shift
Mistake during assembly with new combo of two segments. Very rare. ~10 years. 2009 H1N1 = pig, bird, human strains
Biotechnology
Use of biological system to make a product, does not require genetically engineered organisms.
Genetic engineering
Requires the use of biotechnology. Intentional modification of genomes for practical purposes. Change the genotype deliberately to change the phenotype. First example = insulin
DNA made from combining DNA from one or more sources into novel DNA molecules.
Recombinant DNA
Applications of biotechnology
- Drugs/hormones
- Vaccines
- Genetic sequencing
- Infection diagnosis
- Industrial microbiology
- Genomics
- Microbiomes
Innate immunity
Not dependent on antigens. Immediate response upon exposure. No memory. First/second line of defense.
Use physical/chemical/mechanical barriers. Inflammation, fever. No specific target.
Acquired immunity
Dependent on antigens. Lag between exposure/response. Immunologic memory. Third line of defense
Normal microbiota
Beneficial bacteria/microorganisms found in/on the body. Promote overall health by providing vitamins to host, help stimulate immune system. Microbial antagonism. Produce conditions that do not promote growth of harmful bacteria.
Mechanical barriers for immunity
Peristalsis, urination, blinking, coughing, sneezing, vomiting
Physical barriers for immunity
Skin, mucus
Chemical barriers for immunity
pH, lysozyme (enzyme that breaks down peptidoglycan), lactoferrin, antimicrobial peptides, complement
Lysozyme
Enzyme that breaks down peptidoglycan, v effective agains G-pos bacteria. In tears, saliva, milk, mucus
Lactoferrin
Binds to iron, making it unavailable to microbes. Binds to LPS, leads to lysis.
Antimicrobial peptides
Small proteins, many are cations, attracted to negative charge of cells. Bind to cells and disrupt cell function.
Cathelicidins, Defensins
Macrophages, neutrophils
Dermicidins
Sweat glands
Complement
Set of >30 serum proteins.
- Membrane attack complex: complement proteins form a ring in the membrane of a target cell, leading to lysis. Only for pathogens with a membrane.
- Opsonization: increases likelihood of phagocytosis. Cell “tagged” for recognition.
Cellular barriers
Neutrophils
Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NETs)
Type of programmed cell death. Neutrophil dies, spills out its DNA to trap cells, pathogens no longer can cause infection. Major component of pus
Phagocyte pathogen recognition
- PAMPS (Pathogen-associated molecular patterns)
- TLRs (toll-like receptors)
- PRRs (pattern recognition receptors)
- Flagellin, LPS, peptidoglycan, lipoteichoic acid
Inflammation
Nonspecific response to tissue damage. Dilation, increased permeability of blood vessels, triggered by mast cells, which release histamine. Red, swelling, heat, pain
Fever
Elevated body temp, increased overall metabolic rate
Antigens
Generate antibodies. Large, complex molecules
Exogenous antigen
Product/part of microbe in body
Endogenous antigen
Antigen from intracellular pathogen presented on surface of host cell. What our cells do when infected with a virus, telling others “come kill me!”
Epitope
The portion of an antigen structure that interacts with antibodies. Very specific. One molecule can have multiple epitopes.
Antibodies
Protein with 4 polypeptide chains, 2 heavy, 2 light. Human body can produce 10^23. Our cells interact with the constant region, variable region binds with epitopes.
Functions of antibodies
- Neutralization - before infection
- Opsonization
- Agglutination - clump together several cells to make phagocytosis more efficient
Helper T cells
activate other components of immunity
Cytotoxic T cells
Kill infected host cells
B cells
Strongest immune response is with B and T cells.
Plasma B cells
Produce large amounts of antibodies, only for a few days
Memory B cells
Point of vaccination! Can live as long as you do, immunologic memory.
Passive immunity
Receiving antibodies, no memory
Natural passive immunity
Immunoglobulins from placenta
Artificial passive immunity
Tetanus shot if infected with tetanus. Antivenin.
Natural active immunity
Have the disease, then you make the antibodies
Artificial active immunity
Vaccines
Vaccination
Intentional introduction of antigens to elicit an immune response. Development of memory cells.
Variolation
First form of vaccination. Scab infection -> mild case
4 types of vaccines
- Attenuated
- Inactivated
- Toxoid
- Subunit
Attenuated vaccine
Viable, but weakened pathogen. Can’t cause disease but can cause infection. Strong immune response, but must be refrigerated, remote possibility of disease causation.
Inactivated vaccine
Organism is dead. More stable and safer than attenuated, but immune response not as strong, requires boosters.
Toxoid vaccine
Produce antibodies to toxins. No exposure to pathogen, only to toxin, but does require boosters.
Subunit/conjugate vaccine
Purified antigens that elicit an immune response. Never exposed to pathogen, only its antigens (HPV), so can be given to people with weakened immune systems. Very expensive, immune response is less strong, can require multiple doses
When enough members of a population are immunized to protect those who lack immunity
Herd immunity
Immune disorders
- Hypersensitivities: allergies
- Autoimmune diseases: lupus, MS, rheumatoid arth
- Immunodeficiencies: AIDS, SCID
Disease
Altered or impaired body function