Transcription Flashcards
how can RNA fold into structures?
base pairing and covalent bonds
what functions do RNA molecules have?
structural and catalytic
types of RNAs?
ribosomal
transfer
messenger
non coding
most common form of protein production control?
regulation of transcription as also controls the amount
forms of protein production control?
transcription RNA processing RNA transport and localisation translation mRNA degradation protein activity
define a gene?
entire nucleotide sequence required to direct protein synthesis
components of a gene?
5’ promoter region
coding region
3’ control region
why is RNA polymerase proofreading less important?
will be replaced very soon, so none occurs
how big is the transcription bubble?
12-14 bp
reaction rate of RNA polymerase?
40 b s-1
where does RNA strand get released?
out of the exit tunnel
how does RNA polymerase bind?
has a positively charged cleft, which has a loose association with the negatively charged DNA.
moves until it recognises a promoter sequence and then binds tightly
steps of transcription?
template recognition & initiation
elongation
termination
describe initiation?
polymerase located promoter and unwinds the DNA
upon binding - closed complex
when strands are melted apart - open complex
how long does the RNA polymerase remain bound to the promoter for?
until the chain is 8 bases long
describe elongation?
RNA is in the exit hole
once >10 bases, polymerase tightens its grip and transcribes the rest of the gene
describe termination?
enzyme dissociates from the template when it reaches a termination sequence and releases a complete RNA chain
where does transcription differ in prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
initiation
both have RNA polymerase enzyme, slightly different structures
eukaroytes need a much more regulated process for their complexity
what are constituitive genes?
switched on all the time
“housekeeping”
what are regulated genes?
controlled - might be due to change in food source that switches on genes to encode enzymes which are needed to metabolise that sugar
define operon?
genes encoding for proteins in the same pathway that are located adjacent to one another and controlled as a single unit that is transcribed into a polycistronic RNA - no introns
lac operon?
switches on genes that encode enzymes which are needed to metabolise lactose
what is the site of transcription initiation in DNA/
promoter