Mitchell - Molecular Basis of Gene Expression Flashcards
which interactions stabilise RNA structure?
base pairing (H bonds) hydrophobic base stacking interactions
what secondary structure does RNA usually form?
short irregular stem loops
which metal ion is often attached to RNA to stabilise it?
Mg2+
compare the major/minor grooves of DNA and RNA
RNA major groove is deeper and narrower
RNA minor groove is shallower and broader
which protein is associated with cellular RNA?
ribonucleoprotein particles
give the carbon positions where base pairing interactions occur on pyrimidines and purines
(2) 3 and 4 pyrimidines
(2) 1 and 6 purines
give the base pairs involved in the wobble and imino interactions
U-G wobble
G-A imino
describe base triples and tetraloop RNAs
base triples are 3 bases bonded - increases base stacking interactions (more stable)
tetraloops RNA are 4 nucleotide long loops - smallest possible loops (compact)
name 4 tertiary structures
long-range base-pairing/coaxial stacking of helices/A-minor motif/pseudoknot
which is the most abundant cellular RNA?
rRNA
name the 2 enzymes that process precursor RNAs into cellular RNAs
endo/exo ribonucleases
what do endo and exo ribonucleases do?
exo: 5’ to 3’ or 3’ to 5’ - degrade RNA from the end
endo: cleave specific structures/sequences from RNA
what functional group always ends the 3’ end and the 5’ end?
3’ - OH
5’ - triple phosphate
give the standard equation for the hydrolysis of pyrophosphate
(n)RNA + NTP = (n+1)RNA+PPi
PPi + H2O = 2Pi
what is the location of the E.coli promoter region?
-35 and -10 nucleotides from transc. start site
name and describe the function of the 5 subunits of RNA polymerase
2x beta: forms claw that binds DNA and has catalytic activity
2x alpha: provides contacts with protein factors that regulate transc, activity
omega: required for assembly and stability of core enzymes
how was it proven the sigma factor binds tightly to RNA pol?
2 tubes:
1 tube: RNAP holoenzyme + radioactively labelled DNA and then unlabelled DNA added
2nd tube: RNAP (no sigma factor) + radioactively labelled DNA and then unlabelled DNA added
what happened: when labelled DNA dissociates from RNAP unlabelled DNA takes its place and labelled DNA enters filtrate
in tube with no sigma factor the radioactivity in the filtrate increased more quickly, shows greater dissociation of DNA from RNAP with no sigma factor (as it binds less tightly)
what does the sigma factor do?
recognises the -35 and -10 promoter sequence
how is transcription initiated in prokaryotes?
RNA pol holoenzyme (RNA pol and sigma factor) bind DNA at promoter
after unwinding and the production of a small piece of RNA the sigma factor is lost and NusA binds
what does NusA do?
Prevents stalling of the polymerase and premature
transcription termination