Mid-term Flashcards
Transcription Definition
The process by which regions of DNA are copied into RNA molecules
What are Cis-Acting elements
features embedded in the DNA that regulate transcription
What are some examples of cis-acting elements
promoters, regulatory sequences, terminator
What are trans-acting elements
features that bind to the cis-acting element of a gene to control its expression
what are some examples of trans-acting elements
RNA polymerase, transcription factors, gene regulatory proteins.
What direction is the template strand read
3’ to 5’
What direction are transcripts made in
5’ to 3’
What is the non-coding strand
The template strand used for transcription
What is the coding strand
the non-template strand is the coding because it is almost identical to RNA
RNA polymerase definition
catalyzes phosphodiester bond between NTPS
What are some differences between prokaryotic transcription and eukaryotic transcription
prokaryotes have no membrane-bound organelles (aka no nucleus), circular genome, transcription and translation occur at the same time, there are no post transcriptional modifications like introns, extrons, 5’ cap, or poly-a tail
What is the holoenzyme
core enzyme + sigma factor
What is the core enzyme
No sigma factor
What is the sigma factor
a specificity factor that tells the polymerase which strand to use.
How did we figure out the purpose of sigma factor
core enzyme created double-stranded RNA by using both strands of DNA as a template. Holoenzyme only created one strand of RNA
Why is the sigma important for initiation of transcription
it recognizes the promoter at the -10 and -35 box, weakly binds to the double stranded DNA, then binds strongly to the single stranded DNA
How does sigma recognize the promoter
at the -35 and -10 box. there is always a conserved TT at the -35 box.
After sigma binds to the promoter, what happens?
The RNA polymerase moves to the right elongating the RNA and sigma dissociates. It can now rejoin with a different core, thereby creating another holoenzyme
How can sigma factors change in response to the different needs of the cell
There are multiple sigma factors and they each have different sequence specificities for promoters so they can bind to different promoters. The -10 and -35 box are still important for all sigma factors.
How does prokaryotic transcription terminate
Via Rho-independent or Rho-dependent termination
Explain Rho-independent termination
There is an inverted repeat in DNA followed by string of A residues that creates a hairpin structure. This structure helps pull apart the weak dA-rU interaction and RNA polymerase falls off