Molecular Flashcards
What are the stop codons
UAA
UGA
UAG
What happens when a ribosome encounters a stop codon
Releasing factor proteins bind to the ribosome and stimulate release of the formed polypeptide chain and dissolution of the ribosome-mRNA complex
What is the function of elongation factors
Facilitate tRNA binding and translocation steps of protein synthesis
Enzyme in charge of converting dUMP to dTMP
Thymidylate synthase
Cofactor needed by thymidylate synthase
5,10-methylene THF
Name the 2 types of silencing RNA
- micro RNA (miRNA)
2. small interfering RNA (siRNA)
Most important aminoacid in caspases and their function
- Cysteine
2. Cleavage of aspartic acid residues
Molecular charge of the histone octamer that allows it to attach to DNA
Positive (DNA has a negative charge)
Predominant aminoacids found in histones
Arginine and lysine
Histone in charge of stabilizing the chromatin fiber
H1
State of chromatin that appears darker on EM
Heterochromatin
State of chromatin that is highly methylated, and therefore, sterically inaccesible (transcriptionally inactive)
Heterochromatin
Barr bodies (inactive X chromosomes) exist in which state of chromatin
Heterochromatin
State of chromatin that is highly acetylated, and therefore, sterically accesible (transcriptionally active)
Euchromatin
Part of the DNA that, when methylated, represses transcription
CpG islands
Components of nucleosides
Base + (deoxy)ribose
Components of nucleotides
Base + (deoxy)ribose + phosphate
How many rings do purines and pyrimidines have
Purines have 2, while pyrimidines have 1
Deamination of cytosine makes…
Uracil
Deamination of adenine makes…
Guanine
Methylation of uracil makes…
Thymine
How many H bonds does the G-C bond have
3
*Therefore, if DNA is high in G-C bonds, melting temperatura will increase, making DNA more resistant
How many H bonds does the A-T bond have
2
Enzyme inhibited by leflunomide
Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase
*Part of the pyrimidine synthesis pathway
Enzyme deficient in a patient with orotic aciduria but without hyperammonemia
UMP synthase
Pyrimidine synthesis pathway enzyme that is inhibited by hydroxyurea
Ribonucleotide reductase
*Inhibited reaction: UDP to dUDP
Pyrimidine synthesis pathway enzyme that is inhibited by 5-FU
Thymidylate synthase
Pyrimidine synthesis pathway enzyme that is inhibited by methotrexate/trimethoprim/pyrimethamine
Dihydrofolate reductase (therefore, reducing deoxythymidine phosphate)
Purine synthesis pathway enzyme that is inhibited by 6-MP (and its prodrug, azathioprine)
PRPP amidotransferase
Purine synthesis pathway enzyme that is inhibited by mycophenolate and ribavirin
Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase
Pathogenesis of adenosine deaminase deficiency
ADA is required for degradation of adenosine and deoxyadenosine, its deficiency causes an increase in dATP, which is toxic to lymphocytes
*One of the major causes of autosomal recessive SCID
Pathogenesis of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome
Defective purine salvage due to absent HGPRT, resulting in excessive uric acid and de novo purine synthesis
Signs and symptoms of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome
- Hyperuricemia
- Gout
- Pissed off (aggression and self mutilation)
- Retardation (intelectual disability)
- dysTonia
Lesch-Nyhan syndrome treatment
Allopurinol or febuxostat
*They inhibit PRPP amidotransferase (as 6-MP), thereby reducing purine synthesis
Define the “wobble” feature of the genetic code
This refers to the fact that codons that differ in 3rd position may code for the same tRNA/aminoacid (base pairing is usually only required in the first 2 nucleotide positions of mRNA codon)
Organisms that can have multiple origins of replication
Eukaryotes