Topic 8 Transcription Flashcards
Differences in replication and transcription
Replication:
copies the entire genome once and only once per cell cycle
Both dna strands are the template for new DNA sysnthesis
Transcription:
Selectively copies only certain parts of the genome from one to multiple times
Only one of the dna strands is a template on which rna strand is built
What is dna dependent dna sysnthesis and dna dependent rna sysnthesis
When dna is made using dna (replication)
When rna is made using dna (transcription using rna pol)
Whag is the template strand for rna transcription called
What is the non template one called
Why
Non coding strand, antisense, 3-5
Coding, sense, 5-3
Because the sense strand is the exact same as the RNA except it’s has no U
What is the purpose of the rna transcript dissociating from the dna a few ribonucleotide from the point of synthesis
To allow Multiple transcriptions of the same gene to happen at the same time
Translation can happen rapidly as soon as mRNA is made (can go straight to cytoplasm
What is different in rna polymerase and dna polaymerase
RNA pol makes rna without using primers, dna pol needs primers
RNA pol has less proofreading mechanisms than dna pol
Explain the parts that make up rna polymerase
Eukaryotes has 3 rna pol and prokaryotes has 1
Each pol has two alpha and 2 beta subunits
But the eukaryotic pol I,II,III have 7-11 extra subunits that are specific to each pol
What are the role of each rna pol in eukaryotes
What is the expection
Pol I: transcribes the larger precursor ribosomal rna
Pol 2: protien coding gene
Pol3: tRNA and 5S ribosomal RNA
Even though we say that the pol II makes protien coding genes, it can also make no coding siRNA and microRNA
So they still have overlapping finction
What are the steps to transcription
Initiation
Elongation
Termination
Explain general transcription initiation
The promoter determines what region of the dna undergoes transcription
Three steps:
Form a closed complex structure by binding the rna pol to the promoter (this is the pre initiation complex)
The closed complex transformed into an open complex (this is the transcription bubble)
Then the initial transcribing complex makes the first 10 ribonucleotides
Explain general transcription elongation and termination
Transcription happens 5-3
The rna synthesis continues by unwinding the dna in the front and reannealing it behind
The growing rna emerges from the template and weak proofreading happens
Termination: Transcription stops and rna is released from the complex
What is the transcription start site
The +1 site
The very first nucleotide that is transcribed
Prokaryote vs eukaryotes transcription
Prokaryotes:
Have only one RNA pol
Need only one initiation factor (the sigma factor)
Eukaryotes:
Have 3 RNA pol
Need several initiation factors (like general transcription factors) for promoter specific initiation
What is needed for transcription in vitro (in the test tube)
The core promoter
This includes:
BRE: TFIIB recognition element (binds TFIIB)
TATA: the TATA box element (binds TBP)
Inr: initiatior (binds TFIID)
DPE: downstream promoter element (binds TFIID
What is the core promoter
Minimal sequence needed for accurate transcription in vitro
Whag is special about Inr
Inside the Inr sequence is the +1 site where everything downstream of that is transcribed as rna
Anything upstream is non coding
What are the important transcription factors that bind to the core promoter in in vitro transcription
TBP: bind to TATA box and recruits ~10 other TAFs (TBP Accosiated factors)
TFIIB: bind the PIC after the TBP binds, sets the directionality for transcription, also brigdes between the TBP and pol II
TFIIF: bind to the promoter with pol II, the polII-TFIIF stabilized the DNA-TBP-TFIIB complex and recruits TFIIE and TFIIH
TFIIE: recruits and regulates TFIIH
TFIIH: uses atp to transition the pre initiation complex to open form by melting,
Phosphorylates the CTD (c term domain) of pol II which triggers the pol activity for transcription
Recruited other proteins to do 5’ capping and stabilize the rna
Also used in NER
The formation of the PIC is
Sequential
Explain how the PIC is formed in vitro
- The TBP binds to TATA box, TFIID is recruited, 11 TAFs are also recruited
- TFIIA AND TFIIB bind
- The pol II with TFIIF binds
Until this point the dna is in closed form
- TFIIE AND TFIIH bind to complete the PIC, TFIIH melts DNA and makes dna open form
- The CTD of rna pol II is phoporylsted by TFIIH, promoter escape happens and transcription elongation starts with the first few nucleotides being transcribed
How does the TBP bind to TATA box in vitro trasncription
The TBP has a beta sheet which binds to the minor groove of the TATA BOX
The TBP binding changes the confirmation of the TATA minor groove to bend which widen the minor grooves to a flat structure
How does TFIIB bind to the core promoter in vitro transcription
Bind to the major grooves lf the promoter region
This sets the unidirectionality of the transcription since it bind only to on side of the promoter (assymetric)
What is PIC
Pre initiation complex
Protien complex containing pol and general transcription factors
What is special about the rna pol II CTD
It has repeats for phosphorylation and it isn’t found on pol I AND III
Why do we do. In vitro transcription
To understand the minimum players/requirement for transcription
What is included in in vivo transcription upstream of the core promoter
Has the regulatory sequences needed to efficient transcription in vivo since dna is in chromatin form in vivo
Can be very far from the promoter
Includes:
Proximal promoter elements
Upstream activator sequences (UASs)
Enhancers
Boundary elements
Insulators
Silencers