Recap transcription and splicing Flashcards
What are the chemical differences between DNA and RNA
1) Nucleotides in RNA are ribonucleotides, rather than deoxyribose in DNA
2) Uracil replaces thymine in RNA
How does Uracil differ to thymine
It’s missing a methyl group
in what direction is RNA synthesis made?
5’ - 3’
In what direction is DNA read from the template or non-coding strand
3’ - 5’
True or false - Only the 3’ - 5’ strand can encode a complementary RNA sequence.
False - both the 5’ - 3’ and the 3’ - 5’
What is a flaw in traditional methods of measuring RNA expression (northern blot, RNA-seq, RT-qPCR)
They take the average level of expression from a bulk pf cells, so they are not representative of a heterogenous populations.
What does single cell data show about mRNA expression characteristics?
It occurs in discontinuous bursts. Gene expression is dependent on the frequency and size of these bursts
How is RNA transcription regulated? (2 types)
CREs - cis acting regulatory elements
TREs - Trans acting regulatory elements
What are CREs - give examples
Non protein coding DNA regions which regulate transcription of genes on the same strand of DNA
Promoter, Enhancers, Silencers, Insulators
What are TREs - give examples
Coding DNA regions which regulate gene transcription through their own genetic product.
Chromatin modifying enzymes, Transcription factors (general TFs which bind to promoters/RNA pol or gene regulatory proteins which bind to CREs)
What are the 4 essential components of transcription
DNA helicase, Promoter, RNA pol, General TFs
What is the role of DNA helicase
Unwinds DNA to create a transcription bubble at the promoter
Describe the promoter
CRE element which determins the initiation site of transcription. Within the promoter complex there is a TATA box and the INR region which is where transcription actually begins.
What is important about the INR
Its where transcription actually begins.
Which RNA pol is required in transcription in eukaryotes?
RNA pol II -
How does RNA pol II differ from RNA pol I/III
It has a long C terminal domain. Phosphorylation of of the CTD is vital for initiation, elongation and termination
Which serine residues are phosphorylated on the CTD of RNA pol II
Ser 2 and Ser 5
What general TFs are required for transcription?
TFIID, TFIIB, TFIIF, TFIIE, TFIIH