W31/L4: Gene regulation Flashcards
1
Q
In what direction do we “read” DNA?
A
5’ to 3’
2
Q
What’s the name for the open conformation of DNA?
A
Euchromatin
3
Q
What’s the name for the closed conformation of DNA?
A
Heterochromatin
4
Q
What’s the term for a cytosine next to a guanine?
A
CpG
5
Q
What’s interesting about the cytosines in CpGs?
A
They’re often methylated
6
Q
What does methylation or hypermethylation of the CpG islands usually do?
A
Switch genes off
7
Q
What’s the epigenetic pattern in euchromatin?
A
Hypomethylated CpGs
Hyperacetylated histones
8
Q
What do short interfering RNAs do?
A
They can recruit a protease (RNA-induces silencing complex), and make it target specific mRNAs that match it
