Recap of Transcription and Splicing

Question 1

Which of the following is not a Cis-acting Regulatory Element (CRE) for transcription?

Answer 1

a) Enhancer
b) Insulator
c) Promoter
d) Silencer
e) Transcription factor

Question 2

What is the function of TFIIF in transcriptional initiation?

Answer 2

a) To recognise and bind the TATA box sequence causing activation of the promoter.
b) To recognise and bind the BRE sequence and position the RNA polymerase II enzyme at the transcriptional start site.
c) To stabilise the RNA polymerase II enzyme on the DNA molecule.
d) To phosphorylate the C–terminal domain of RNA polymerase II, releasing it from the general transcription factors.
e) To synthesise RNA complementary to the template strand of the gene being transcribed.

Question 3

What is the function of TFIIH in transcriptional initiation?

Answer 3

a) To recognise and bind the TATA box sequence causing activation of the promoter.
b) To recognise and bind the BRE sequence and position the RNA polymerase II enzyme at the transcriptional start site.
c) To stabilise the RNA polymerase II enzyme on the DNA molecule.
d) To phosphorylate the C–terminal domain of RNA polymerase II, releasing it from the general transcription factors.
e) To synthesise RNA complementary to the template strand of the gene being transcribed.

Question 4

Which of the following statements about transcriptional termination is FALSE?

Answer 4

a) mRNA molecules contain an AAUAAA polyadenylation sequence in the 3’UTR.
b) CPSF protein recognises and binds the polyadenylation sequence.
c) The RNA cleavage complex cleaves the RNA molecule at the AAUAAA polyadenylation sequence.
d) The phosphate group is removed from the C-terminal domain of the RNA polymerase, allowing it to separate from the DNA template.
e) Poly-A polymerase adds 200-250 adenosine nucleotides to the 3’ end of the mRNA molecule.