Regulation Of Virulence Factors Flashcards

1
Q

What are promotor regions

A

Promoter regions are specific DNA sequences located upstream (towards the 5’ end) of a gene that are responsible for initiating the transcription process. They are important because they provide binding sites for RNA polymerase and transcription factors, which together regulate the rate at which a gene is transcribed into RNA.

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2
Q

What are promotor genes Pt2

A

Promotor regions are no coding regions of dna
Promotor region is recognised by rna polymerase
Translation start site

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3
Q

Why are -35 and -10 sites important

A

So that the dna can be recognised by rna polymerase

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4
Q

Rna core enzyme + sigma factor =

A

Rna polymerase holoenzyme

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5
Q

What does the sigma factor work with the rna core enzyme to do

A

To recognise promotor regions
Sigma binds to -10 -35 and the transcription start point
It makes sure that the rna polymerase is oriented the right way

This is how rna polymerase recognises promotor regions and transcription can start

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6
Q

What are transcriptional regulators

A

Repressors
Or
Activators

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7
Q

Transcriptional repressor

A

Sits in the way of RNA polymerase (sit between -10 and TSP(+1)
It will physically block RNA from passing

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8
Q

Transcriptional activators

A

Interacts with Rna polymerase and the dna
Helps rna polymerase to pass along dna and transcribe it

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9
Q

How do TFs know where to bind

A

Transcription factors bind to motifs within DNA called operators
Operators are often palindromic

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10
Q

A single transcription regulator/factor can regulate several genes

A

Transcription factors are proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences and either activate or repress gene expression. Some transcription factors have broad specificity and can bind to multiple genes, while others have more specific binding preferences and only target a subset of genes.

The ability of transcription factors to regulate multiple genes allows for complex gene expression programs to be coordinated in response to changes in the cellular environment or developmental cues.

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11
Q

What are operons and regulons

A

An operon is a unit of bacterial gene expression that consists of a cluster of genes that are transcribed together as a single mRNA molecule from a single promoter region. This allows for the coordinated regulation of multiple genes involved in a common biological pathway or function. The genes within an operon are typically related in function and are under the control of a common regulatory mechanism.

A regulon, on the other hand, is a group of genes that are controlled by a common regulatory protein or transcription factor, but are not necessarily clustered together on the chromosome like operons. The genes in a regulon can be located anywhere on the genome and may be involved in diverse biological functions. The regulatory protein or transcription factor that controls the regulon recognizes specific DNA sequences, such as promoter regions or enhancers, and can activate or repress the expression of the genes in the regulon.

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12
Q

What is an operator

A

In genetics, an operator is a specific DNA sequence located near the promoter region of an operon that is recognized by a regulatory protein

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13
Q

What is Diptheria toxin

A

Diphtheria toxin is a potent protein exotoxin produced by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae
- C.diphtheria is a gram + , aerobic, Rid bacteria

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14
Q

How does Diphtheria toxin work

A

The toxin works by inhibiting protein synthesis in host cells, causing cell death and tissue damage. It is composed of two subunits, A and B. The B subunit binds to specific receptors on the surface of host cells, while the A subunit enters the cell and disrupts protein synthesis.

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15
Q

What is the diphtheria vaccine

A

Inactivated toxin

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16
Q

What are two of the virulence factors of C.diphtheria

A

Production of siderophores
Production of A-B toxins that disrupts protein synthesis

17
Q

When are toxins produced in C.diphtheria

A

Stationary phase
When nutrients became limiting
It is limiting iron that causes toxin release

18
Q

What happens when C.diphtheria is in host with low iron

A

The host Is often an iron starved condition
Bacteria induced siderophores
Steals iron from transferrin and lactoferrin
Because siderophore production and toxin production are co regulated genes

19
Q

What repressor is on C.diphtheria DNA

A

dtxR repressor

20
Q

What does dtxR repressor do

A

It is responsive to low iron levels
So when bacteria is in fine iron levels it will remain on DNA ( on promotor region ) and the transcription of siderophores and tox genes won’t happen
If iron is deficient, repressor will release from DNA allowing the transcription of Siderophores and toxins which are co regulated

21
Q

Ribosome binding site is also known as

A

Shine-Dalgarno sequence (SD sequence). It is a short nucleotide sequence found in the mRNA (messenger RNA) molecule, upstream of the start codon (usually AUG) that encodes the first amino acid of the protein. The RBS/SD sequence plays a crucial role in the initiation of translation, as it serves as the recognition site for the small ribosomal subunit to bind to the mRNA and begin the process of protein synthesis.

22
Q

How can bacteria talk to each other

A

Quorum sensing
(Using chemical signals)

23
Q

How does bacterial quorum sensing work

A

When there is low bacteria cell density you get low number of chemical signals produced
So you would observe bacteria individual behaviours

When there is a high bacteria cell density, you get a high number of chemical signals produced
So you would observe group bacteria behaviours

24
Q

Example of group bacteria behaviour

A

Biofilm formation
- biofilms only form when the population gets to a certain density

25
Q

What are the chemical signals produces by bacteria involved in quorum sensing called

A

AIs autoinducers

26
Q

What can auto inducers be

A

Small molecules
Or
Peptides

27
Q

What happens when Vibrio fischeri (gram-) hit a certain density

A

The bacteria become luminescent
(Symbiont of marine animals)