mitochondrial genome Flashcards
What are features of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)?
- circular, double stranded and smaller than one chromosome.
- multi-copy
- 37 genes, oxidative phosphorylation protein subunits, transfer RNAs and ribosomal RNAs.
- no introns
- D loop is non -coding. Replication (origin of heavy strand) and transcription (heavy/light strand promoter) is initiated here.
- maternally inherited. No recombination.
- packaged into nucleotides
- mtDNA haplogroups can show us human migration patterns.
- mtDNA is a hexamer - unwinds double stranded mtDNA to allow for replication by polymerase gamma.
- mitochondria single stranded binding protein (mtSSBP) binds to single strand DNA and protects nucleases and prevents secondary structure formation. stimulates twinkle (mitochondrial protein) to enhance synthesis.
Does heavy strands have more of purine or pyrimidines?
- heavy has more purines (Adenine and guanine)
- light has ore pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine)
Which enzyme complex does mitochondrial genome code for?
- 1, 3, 4, 5
- only complex 2 is soley nuclear
Which transcription factor acts as a histone?
- transcription factor A
What are the exceptions to universal genetic code in vertebrate mitochondria?
- methionine(AUG , AUA)
- tryptophan (UGA)
- stop codons(AGA, AGG)
Describe replication in the mitochondria?
- requires nuclear and mtDNA coded proteins.
- all proteins involved in replication/transcription/ translation are imported into mitochondria.
How many catalytic and accessory subunits does polymerase gamma have?
- one catalytic subunit
- two accessory subunits
What is the function of polymerase gamma A?
- 3’-5’ exons lease domain proofreads
What is the function of polymerase gamma B?
- interacts with DNA template and increases activity polymerase gamma A.
outline the strand displacement model.
- parental heavy strand displayed and coated with mtSSBP.
- Twinkle helical unwinds mtDNA
- mitochondrial RNA polymerase (POLMT) synthesis RNA primer using light strand as template.
- POLy (gamma polymerase) uses primer to replicate DNA at origin of heavy strand
- Heavy strand replication passes origin of light strand
- stem loop structure formed preventing mtSSBP binding.
- POLRMT synthesises primer using heavy strand as template and POLy ses primer as template to replicate light strand at origin of light strand
- continues till both strands fully replicated
- daughter molecules segregated.
How is mitochondrial DNA different from nucleus DNA?
- mitochondrial DNA is inherited from mother unlike nucleus DNA which is inherited from both parents.
What does the non- coding region contain?
- regulatory sequences for replication and transcription
- mtDNA replication starts in origin of heavy strand.
- transcription starts at heavy strand promoter (HSP) and light strand promoter( LSP)
How is mtDNA packaged?
- mtDNA is packaged into structures called nucleoids
- one or two copies of mtDNA per nucleoid
- transcription factor A (TFAM) acts as a histone protein.
What are exceptions to the universal genetic code?
=> genetic code in vertebrate mitochondria:
- AUA and AUG for methionine (AUA codes for isoleucine in nuclear DNA)
- UGA codes for tryphtophan (UGA is a stop codon in nuclear DNA)
- AGA and AGG are stop codons in mitochondria (not arginine)
What are the 3 mitochondrial
DNA polymerase?
- polymerase gamma
=> heterotrimer protein
=> one catalytic subunit (polymerase gamma A)
=> two accessory subunits (polymerase B)