Protein Synthesis And Mutation Flashcards
What is a gene ?
Specific sequence of nucleotides along a DNA molecule that codes for a particular polypeptide chain or RNA molecule
What does The Central dogma of molecular biology describe ?
The unidirectional flow of genetic information from DNA through RNA to polypeptide
Where does DNA replication occur in eukaryotic cell ?
Nucleus
Where does DNA replication occur in prok cell ?
Nucleoid
Where does transcription occur in euk cell ?
Nucleus
Where does transcription occur in prok cell ?
Nucleoid
Where does translation occur in euk cell ?
Cytoplasm
Where does translation occur in prok cell ?
Cytoplasm
What is RNA?
A polymer of ribonucleotides joined by phosphodiester bond
What is the pentose sugar present in RNA ?
Ribose sugar
What are the nitrogenous bases of RNA ?
Adenine (A)
Guanine (G)
Cytosine (C)
Uracil (U)
Which base does uracil replace from DNA?
Thymine (T)
Are RNA single stranded or double stranded ?
Most are single stranded but an RNA molecule may contain regions which loop back upon itself due to complementary base pairing
What are the three types of RNA involved in protein synthesis ?
Messenger RNA
Ribosomal RNA
Transfer RNA
What is mRNA ?
A single-stranded polynucleotide which carries the information of DNA out from the nucleus to ribosomes in the cytoplasm where proteins are made
What makes up a codon ?
3 mRNA bases in a row
What does a codon code for ?
A certain AA
Lifespan of mRNA ?
Short-lived (degraded once it has been translated)
What is the structure of rRNA ?
Single-stranded but may fold into different shapes
Where is rRNA synthesised ?
In the nucleolus region of the nucleus
Which RNA is a major component of ribosomes ?
rRNA
What is the characteristic shape of tRNA ?
Clover-leaf shape
How does tRNA forms its characteristic clover-leaf shape ?
It folds upon itself through complementary base pairing
What does the 5’ end of tRNA always end in ?
G (guanine)
What does the 3’ end of tRNA always end in ?
CCA
Where is the amino acid binding site located on the tRNA ?
The 3’ end
What is an anticodon ?
Specific 3 bases on tRNA that is complementary to a specific codon on the mRNA
How many different tRNAs are there ?
About 45, each specific to one AA
What is the main function of tRNA ?
To bring the appropriate AA to the ribosome for protein synthesis
What is transcription ?
Process by which a sequence of bases in the DNA template of a gene is copied onto a complementary sequence of bases in mRNA
What is a transcription unit ?
Stretch of DNA template which includes the gene that is going to be transcribed, together with its promoter and terminator
What is a promoter ?
DNA sequence that carry the information to regulate transcription
What is a terminator ?
DNA sequence that carry the information to end transcription
Are the promoter and terminator sequences coding or non-coding ?
Non-coding (they do not make up any part of the polypeptide)
How many of the 2 DNA strands are used as template for transcription ?
1
What is the DNA strand that is transcribed called ?
TAN :
Template
Antisense
Non-coding
What is the strand that is not transcribed called ?
Non-template
Sense
Coding
What does RNA polymerase do ?
Catalyses formation of phosphodiester bond between neighbouring RNA nucleotides to form polynucleotide chain (mRNA)
How does RNA polymerase recognise the DNA template ?
By the presence of promoter
What are the three stages of transcription ?
- Initiation
- Elongation
- Termination
What binds to TATA box at promoter in transcription in euk ?
Collection of proteins called the general/basal transcription factors recognise and bind to the TATA box at the promoter
What do the transcriptional factors in euk do ?
Recruit the RNA polymerase and ensure its correct positioning onto the promoter
What makes up the transition initiation complex (TIC) in transcription in euk ?
RNA polymerase and the general transcription factors bound at the promoter
What does RNA polymerase do in transcription initiation in euk?
Unwind the DNA double helix in front of it by breaking the H bonds between the complementary bases to expose the nucleotides
What is the region of DNA undergoing transcription in euk called ?
Transcription bubble
Which direction does RNA polymerase move in (euk transcription) ?
3’ to 5’ direction with respect to the template strand
The newly synthesised RNA strand is elongated in what direction (euk transcription) ?
5’ to 3’ direction with respect to growing RNA chain
(euk transcription)
Where does the energy for the formation of phosphodiester bonds between the ribonucleotides come from ?
Removal of the two phosphate groups from the incoming ribonucleoside triphosphates
Does DNA remain unwounded after transcription ?
No it rewinds once RNA polymerase moves on
(euk transcription)
What happens to RNA transcript when DNA rewinds after transcription is done ?
It peels away from the DNA
Does RNA polymerase require free 3’ -OH fro synthesis of new strand ?
No
What does the terminator sequence code for ?
Polyadenylation signal (AAUAAA)
(euk transcription)
What happens when the terminator sequence is transcribed ?
Certain proteins are recruited to cleave the mRNA transcript at a point downstream of the polyadenylation signal thus halting further elongation
What happens to the RNA polymerase on the DNA strand after transcription is completed ?
It dissociates
(Prok transcription)
What competent recognises the promoter ?
The sigma factor which is a part of the RNA polymerase
When is the sigma factor released ?
Once the RNA polymerase is bound to the DNA at the promoter, unwinds the DNA double helix and synthesises about 10 nucleotides of mRNA, the sigma factor is then released
What does the release of sigma factor allow ?
Allows the RNA polymerase to move forward and continue transcription
What does the terminator sequence in prok transcription code for ?
RNA which forms a hairpin loop resulting in termination of transcription as the RNA dissociates from the template
Is the process of transcription elongation in euk the same as that in prok ?
Same
What are the differences between transcription initiation in euk and that in prok ?
Factor that recognises and bind to promoter - in euk is the general transcription factors, in prok is the sigma factor of the RNA polymerase
Formation of transcription initiation complex - in euk TIC formed with general transcription factors and RNA polymerase, in prok no TIC formed
What is the difference between transcription termination in euk and that in prok ?
Terminator sequence codes for - in euk is polyadenylation signal, in prok is for RNA which forms hairpin loop causing RNA to dissociate from template strand
In euk protein is required to cleave mRNA after polyadenylation signal, in prok mRNA dissociates on its own after transcription of termination sequence
What occurs to the pre-mRNA in euk ?
Post-transcriptional modification to form mature mRNA
Where does post-transcriptional modification occur in a cell (euk) ?
Nucleus
What are te three types of post-transcriptional modifications ?
5’ capping
3’ capping
Splicing
What is 5’ capping ?
Addition of 7-methylguanosine residue to the 5’-terminal end of the pre-mRNA transcript catalysed by mRNA guanyltranferase
What is the enzyme catalysing addition of 5’ cap ?
mRNA guanyltranferase
What are the functions of the 5’ cap ?
- Forms barrier to protect mRNA from degradation by 5’ exonucleases
- Helps in export of mature mRNA from nucleus to cytoplasm
- Helps mRNA bind to ribosomes for translation
What are introns ?
DNA region within the gene that is not translated into proteins
What are exons ?
DNA region within the gene that is translated into proteins
What is splicing ?
Process where introns are excised (removed) and exons are spliced together to produce mature mRNA
Where does splicing take place ?
Nucleus
What are splice sites ?
The start and end of an intron sequence on the pre-mRNA, tend to start with ‘GU-‘ and end with ‘-AG’