Test 4 - Final Flashcards
A recipient cell containing donor DNA
Transformant
The direct uptake of exogenous genetic material
Transformation
Describe the two stages of transformation. (very unclear from notes)
- Competence - likely due to changes in the cell wall that increase the likelihood of DNA uptake by the cell. Influenced by type of media, stage of growth, degree of aeration and the secretion of competence factors (aka pheromones).
- DNA uptake - DNA enters the cell. Different for Gram + vs -. (see handout). Results of uptake: 1) Plasmid that circularizes. 2) ssDNA undergoes homologous recombination. 3) The DNA is degraded in the cell.
An culture that will readily uptake DNA.
competent cells
A competence system component that binds to the DNA and pulls it into the cell.
pseudopilus
A sequence on own DNA that codes for receptors for the uptake of exogenous DNA.
uptake sequences
Proteins that activate the rest of the cells to become competent
Competence factors (pheromones)
Two stages of DNA uptake. (Don’t know what each is though???)
- Brief, reversible binding stage
2. Longer, irreversible stage
Describe Gram negative transformation via a transformisome.
A transformasome forms as a buldge of cytoplasmic membrane through the cell wall and dsDNA is taken in. As the dsDNA enters the main cell area, nuclease cuts it into ssDNA. SSB or RecA will coat the ssDNA. At this point it can either circularize (using homologous recombination), or integrate into cell’s genome (using homologous recombination), or be degraded.
Gram positive vs Gram negative transformation
Gram negative - 2 methods, either via pseudopilus or via transformisome.
Gram positive - 1 method, competence factor binds DNA, pore forms in peptidoglycan and a pseudopilus pulls the DNA through the cell wall.
A set of genes that aid in the formation of a pseudopilus
Com genes
An enzyme that cuts dsDNA into ssDNA as it enters the cell during transformation.
nuclease
Describe Induced vs Natural transformation
Induced - Manipulation in the lab. Includes calcium ion induction, electroporation, protoplasting, and heat/cold shock.
Natural - Transformation found in nature. Increases genetic variability. The availability of “self” DNA aids in repair of own damaged DNA and reduces problems associated with foreign DNA.
Nucleotide sequences are exchanged between two similar molecules of DNA.
Homologous recombination
Describe why homologous recombination is beneficial.
Maintain cell viability by repairing damaged DNA.
Provides a basis for genetic diversity.
A group of proteins that act at the Holliday Junction of a crossing over event.
Ruv proteins
An event wherein two similar strands of DNA begin an exchange of sequences.
Crossing over
The outcome or the name of a completed crossing over event.
recombination event
Describe the 3 steps of reaction of RecA in the homologous recombination model.
- Presynaptic binding - coats ssDNA with RecA. Requires ATP. SSB removes secondary structure.
- Synapsis (conjunction) - RecA/ssDNA forms a complex with an elongated dsDNA along its major grove. The sequences move along until homologous sequences are lined up, (homologous allignment). 2 joints can be formed, paranemic or plectonemic.
- Postsynaptic strand exchange (heteroduplex extension) - RecA promotes displacement of dsDNA and replacement with the new strand. Unclear mechanism.
Describe what the RecBCD complex does.
Activates 3’ to 5’ exonuclease to eat away at one strand in preparation for crossing over event. Exonuclease stops at the chi sequence.
Activates 5’ to 3’ exonuclease and helicase to prepare the DS break end for homologous recombination. Exonuclease increases at the chi sequence to create overhang where RecA will attach in preparation for the actual Homologous Recombination event (Depicted in handout Figure 9.6)
proteins of a multifunctional complex that play a key role in homologous recombination model.
Rec BCD protein complex
Describe some ways in which Homologous Recombination can be used as a repair mechanism to stalled or collapsed forks.
Collapsed fork - create a new replication fork by strand invasion homologous recombination. Forms a Holliday Junction that when resolved reforms the replication fork via resolving enzymes.
Stalled fork - formation of reverse replication to create a new strand so that new repaired piece of the strand can be spliced and to restart the fork via branch migration and template switching. (doesn’t make much sense)
Dinner fork - not used in DNA repair.
Holliday model vs Homologous Recombination model.
(do they both occur? it looks like one is a single strand invasion and the other is a double strand crossing over…maybe.)
Holliday - a junction is formed wherein the dsDNA molecules are held together by crossed over strands and Ruv proteins.
Homologous Recombination - Break two DNA molecules in the same region where they are similar and join one to the other in a crossing over event.
A region of complementary bases within a DNA molecule wherein each strand is contributed by one of two parent DNA molecules.
Heteroduplex
Describe how we know that certain enzymes play a role in Homologous Recombination and repair. (question he said in class was a good test question so I made a card.)
We can detect which enzymes get turned on then mutate the genes for those enzymes. If we do a deletion mutation which inactivates the enzyme, and no repair occurs, we will know that that specific enzyme must have been involved.
What 3 things were key to the discovery and emergence of the first recombinant DNA technology experiments? Describe why each is important.
- Plasmids - Found while trying to find reasons for antibiotic resistance.
- Ligase - Found while trying to figure out how DNA is replicated. Puts open SS ends back together after use of EcoR1.
- Restriction Endonucleases - Found while trying to figure out purpose of DNA methylation. EcoR1 creates open SS ends that can be put back together with ligase.
Side note - go to chapter 10 in the book. It is much more clear than his notes and has some color to the figures he used in his handouts. The book was more clear on homologous recombination.
Did you get your book out?…did you?… … … you didn’t.
What properties does a vector need in order to transfer genes?
Able to enter host
Able to replicate in host (ori region)
Selectable marker genes for identification (resistance)
A gene transfer vector that can accept large DNA fragments
λ phage
A gene transfer vector with unique promoters that aid in DNA sequencing.
M13 phage
A gene transfer vector that contains antibiotic resistance genes, an ori site, polylinkers, etc…
(give an example)
Plasmids. pBR322
Describe the method for the use of insertional inactivation for the identification of clones.
- Cut and anneal a plasmid with foreign DNA. Results in re-annealed original plasmid, or desired plasmid containing foreign DNA inserted into and inactivating the tetracycline resistant gene.
- Cause a transformation event.
- Grow cells on Ampicillin, all cells will grow.
- Replica plate cells on Tetracycline, cells containing foreign DNA will not grow due to insertional inactivation.
- Isolate colonies that grew on ampicillin but not on tetracycline. These contain the cloned, foreign DNA.
Describe the α-complementation system (aka Xgal or lacZ system).
- Ligate and anneal a lacZ-containing plasmid with foreign DNA. Either get re-annealed original plasmid, or plasmid with foreign DNA causing insertional inactivation of lacZ region.
- Plate on agar containing Ampicillin so only transformants will grow.
- Agar also contains IPTG and X-gal.
- Cells with functional lacZ - lacZ induced by IPTG to cleave Xgal, which makes the colony blue.
- Cells with inactivated lacZ will not be induced and white colonies will grow. These contain the desired, cloned, foreign DNA.
A sulfur analog of lactose
IPTG