Transcription Factors Flashcards
1
Q
What are transcription factors?
A
proteins that control the rate of protein synthesis by switching
genes on and other genes off.
2
Q
What is the promoter region?
A
short sequence of DNA at the start of a gene - the bit
that DNA/RNA polymerase attaches to
3
Q
What are activators?
A
turn genes on
4
Q
What are repressers?
A
they stop or slow down gene expression
5
Q
What are transcription factors used for?
A
1) transcription factor moves from the cytoplasm into the nucleus
2) binds to the promoter region
3) Activators helps RNA polyerrase to bind to DNA - the gene is transcribed and expressed
4) Repressors - prevent RNA polymerase binding to DNA - gene is NOT transcribed
6
Q
How do you control transcription factors with oestrogen?
A
- oestrogen is a steroid hormone
- oestrogen binds to the oestrogen receptor
- forms oestrogen-oestrogen receptor complex
