Nucleic Acids and Gene Structure
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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of prokaryotic genes in terms of transcription termination?

  • Termination involves structures found on the transcript itself. (correct)
  • The closest open reading frame is always the only one replicated.
  • There are no untranslated regions after the termination sequence.
  • Termination is solely based on the presence of a Stop codon.
  • Which component is not included in eukaryotic mRNA processing?

  • Transcription factors (correct)
  • 5' cap structure
  • Introns
  • Exons
  • What is the primary function of RNA polymerase I in eukaryotic cells?

  • Generate small non-coding RNAs.
  • Facilitate transcription factor binding.
  • Synthesize protein-coding mRNA.
  • Produce ribosomal RNA. (correct)
  • How many stop codons are present within the genetic code?

    <p>3 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What regulates the transcription of eukaryotic genes?

    <p>Both upstream and downstream regulatory sequences. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true about the redundancy in the amino acid synthesis due to codon usage?

    <p>The wobble effect allows for fewer tRNAs than codons. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is correct regarding eukaryotic promoters?

    <p>There can be multiple promoters for a single gene. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a defining feature of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes in eukaryotes?

    <p>They are organized in tandem arrays within the genome. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the CTD (carboxy-terminal domain) of RNA polymerase II play?

    <p>Regulates the polymerase's enzymatic activity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about RNA polymerase II promoters is true?

    <p>They show the most variability in gene expression. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between the major and minor grooves in DNA?

    <p>The major groove exposes more groups for protein interaction. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which element is NOT a core promoter region for RNA polymerase II?

    <p>Enhancer region (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are proteins unable to distinguish between A=T and T=A in the minor groove?

    <p>The exposed groups in the minor groove are the same. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does TFIIB play in transcription?

    <p>It stabilizes and orients TFIID at the promoter. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the order of assembly for the general transcription factors during RNA polymerase II recruitment?

    <p>D-A-B-F-E-H (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the Mediator complex influence gene transcription?

    <p>It integrates signals from enhancers and activating proteins. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens during the phosphorylation of the CTD?

    <p>It activates RNA polymerase II. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do enhancers affect gene expression?

    <p>They can activate genes located kilometers away if they are cis. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of having all promoter elements present in RNA polymerase II regulation?

    <p>It yields the highest degree of transcription. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of silencers in gene regulation?

    <p>They bind repressor proteins to block transcription. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What structural feature of RNA polymerase II allows for regulatory control?

    <p>The carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the recruitment of general transcription factors crucial for RNA polymerase II function?

    <p>To form a stable preinitiation complex (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What mechanism do insulators use in gene regulation?

    <p>They form loops to isolate enhancer effects to specific genes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What differentiates proteins that bind in the major groove from those that bind in the minor groove?

    <p>Proteins in the major groove can differentiate base pairs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which transcription factor stabilizes the binding of TFIID and TFIIB?

    <p>TFIIA (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is required for the binding of TFIIB at the promoter?

    <p>TATA binding protein (TBP) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which groove of DNA does the TBP (TATA-binding protein) bind to, causing the DNA to bend?

    <p>Minor groove (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the TATA binding protein (TBP) play in transcription?

    <p>It recruits additional proteins to facilitate RNA synthesis. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which transcription process is characterized by a formation of a transcription bubble?

    <p>Initiation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the primary reasons eukaryotes have more protein coding genes compared to bacteria?

    <p>Eukaryotic genes require additional regulatory complexity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of prokaryotic transcription termination?

    <p>It involves specific terminator structures in the transcript. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is significant about eukaryotic genes having multiple open reading frames (ORFs)?

    <p>The closest ORF to the promoter is typically the most replicated. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which RNA polymerase is responsible for producing messenger RNA (mRNA) that encodes proteins?

    <p>RNA Pol II (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the Upstream Control Element (UCE) in RNA Pol I promoters?

    <p>It controls the synthesis of ribosomal RNA predominantly. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the presence of introns in eukaryotic genes signify?

    <p>They are non-coding regions removed during mRNA processing. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Prokaryotic gene termination

    Transcription stops due to specific sequences in the transcript, not a stop codon. Examples include rho-dependent and terminator structures.

    Eukaryotic gene structure

    Eukaryotic genes contain introns (non-coding) and exons (coding), where introns are removed. They also have regulation sequences and multiple promoters that can lead to multiple mRNAs.

    Eukaryotic RNA polymerases

    Eukaryotic cells have three types of RNA polymerases: Pol I (rRNA), Pol II (mRNA), and Pol III (small non-coding RNAs).

    RNA polymerase I promoter

    The promoter for ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis contains an upstream control element (UCE) and a core promoter element (CPE).

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    Open reading frames (ORFs)

    Coding sequences within a gene. The ORF closest to the promoter is typically transcribed more often.

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    Multiple promoters

    Some eukaryotic genes have multiple promoters, leading to the production of multiple different mRNAs from a single gene.

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    Tandem arrays

    Genes are organized in clustered, repeated units, often found in rRNA genes.

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    Wobble effect

    The third base of a codon can sometimes have flexibility in pairing with a tRNA anticodon, allowing for redundancy in amino acid codons.

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    Major Groove

    The wider groove in a DNA double helix, exposing more information about the base pairs.

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    Minor Groove

    The narrower groove in a DNA double helix, exposing less information about the base pairs.

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    Sequence Specificity (proteins)

    A protein's ability to recognize and bind to a specific DNA sequence.

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    TATA Binding Protein (TBP)

    A protein that binds to the TATA box in promoters, crucial for initiating transcription.

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    TFIIB Role

    Assists TFIID in positioning RNA polymerase II correctly for accurate transcription initiation.

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    Mediator Complex

    A protein complex that bridges enhancers and promoters, mediating long-range transcriptional regulation.

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    Enhancers

    DNA sequences that increase the rate of transcription of target genes, often located far from the gene itself.

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    Silencers

    DNA sequences that decrease the rate of transcription of target genes.

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    Insulators

    DNA sequences that prevent the effects of enhancers and silencers from spreading inappropriately, allowing for their specific action on neighboring genes.

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    Cis-acting elements

    Enhancers and silencers that work on the same DNA strand.

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    TFIII-C and TFIII-B

    TFIII-C is a transcription factor specifically for RNA polymerase III. It recruits TFIII-B, which then recruits RNA Polymerase III to the promoter. TFIII-B remains bound to the DNA to quickly re-initiate transcription, while TFIII-C is removed.

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    RNA Pol II Promoter Variability

    RNA polymerase II promoters show a wide range of complexity due to the need to regulate gene expression in different ways. Some genes need to be constantly expressed, others need to be turned on and off rapidly, and some are only expressed during specific developmental stages.

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    RNA Pol II Core Enzyme

    RNA Pol II is a complex enzyme with 12 subunits, some of which share similarities with bacterial RNA polymerases. One important feature is the C-terminal domain (CTD), a tail that can be modified by phosphorylation.

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    CTD (Carboxy-Terminal Domain)

    The CTD is a series of repeating amino acid sequences at the tail of RNA Pol II. It's the site of phosphorylation, which plays a crucial role in controlling the polymerase's activity, like switching it on or off and coordinating transcription.

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    Initiation of Transcription: Probability

    The efficiency of transcription initiation depends on several factors, including the strength of the core promoter in recruiting general transcription factors and additional specific transcription factors, as well as the accessibility of DNA sequence (histones/chromatin).

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    Core Pol II Promoter Elements

    The core promoter is a sequence of DNA that recruits RNA Polymerase II to the start of transcription. Key elements include the TATA box, INR (Initiator), and DPE (Downstream Promoter Element) along with the RE (TFIIB Recognition Element). Promoters don't always have all the elements, but more elements means more likely it is to be transcribed.

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    Eukaryotic Transcription Cycle

    The entire process of transcription is divided into 5 stages: 1) Recruitment/Assembly, 2) Initiation, 3) Elongation, 4) Termination, and 5) Recycling. Each stage involves specific factors and modifications to the RNA polymerase.

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    TFIIA

    TFIIA helps stabilize the binding of TFIID and TFIIB, making the complex more robust, and promotes the interaction of the two factors by bringing them together

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    TFIIB

    TFIIB helps orient RNA Polymerase II correctly on the DNA strand for transcription and helps stabilize the binding of the polymerase to the DNA.

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    TFIIF

    TFIIF helps stabilize the binding of TFIIB and RNA Polymerase II. It also ushers in RNA Polymerase II to the promoter, acting sort of like a chaperone.

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    TFIIE

    TFIIE stabilizes TFIIH and help regulate its activity.

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    TFIIH

    TFIIH is a key player in transcription initiation. It has two main roles: 1) unwinding DNA to expose the template strand (helicase activity) and 2) activating the RNA Polymerase by phosphorylating its CTD tail (kinase activity).

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    Preinitiation Complex (PIC) Formation

    The PIC is formed when TFIID binds to the DNA at the promoter sequence. The TBP component of TFIID specifically binds to the TATA box, causing a bend in the DNA. Not all promoters have a TATA box, and those that do only make up 1/4 of promoters.

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    What are "introns"?

    Introns are non-coding sequences within a gene that are removed during RNA processing. They are like filler text in a book, not part of the final story.

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    Why are there "multiple promoters"?

    Some eukaryotic genes have multiple promoters, which allows them to produce different versions of mRNA from the same gene. It's like having multiple entry points in a book leading to different stories.

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    What does "tandem arrays" mean?

    Genes are organized in clusters where multiple copies of the same gene are arranged in a row. It's like having many identical books stacked together.

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    What is the "wobbling effect"?

    The third base of a codon (three bases that code for an amino acid) can sometimes have flexibility in pairing with a tRNA anticodon. This allows for redundancy in the genetic code.

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    What is the role of "Pol I"?

    Pol I is a type of RNA polymerase that produces ribosomal RNA (rRNA) which are essential for protein synthesis. It's like a factory that builds the machines for protein production.

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    Study Notes

    Nucleic Acids

    • Prokaryotic genes have a promoter region, open reading frames (ORFs), and a termination signal.
    • The termination of transcription in prokaryotes is not solely dependent on a stop codon but also involves termination structures within the transcript itself.
    • Prokaryotic transcripts contain 3' untranslated regions (3' UTRs) after the termination sequence.
    • Multiple ORFs can exist, with the one closest to the promoter region often being preferentially replicated.

    Eukaryotic genes

    • Eukaryotic mRNA contains both introns (non-coding) and exons (coding regions) that need to be edited. The introns are removed during processing.
    • Regulation sequences (800-1000 bp) are present downstream from the promoter.
    • There can also be upstream regulatory elements and overlapping reading frames.
    • Multiple promoters in a single gene can generate diverse mRNA transcripts.

    Eukaryotic Genes: 3 Specialized Polymerases

    • Pol I: Produces ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Cells need these consistently in high amounts.
    • Pol II: Produces messenger RNA (mRNA) and some non-coding RNAs like miRNAs.
    • Pol III: Produces small, highly abundant non-coding RNAs, like transfer RNA (tRNA), 5S rRNA, and 7SL RNA.

    RNA Polymerase I Promoter

    • Contains an upstream control element (UCE) and a core promoter element (CPE).
    • Little variation in rRNA promoters within a species, but many copies exist, especially in eukaryotic chromosomes.
    • rRNA genes are organized in tandem arrays for consistent high-level production.

    Initiation of Transcription (Pol I)

    • UBF (upstream binding factor) binds to the UCE and core sequence.
    • SL1 (selectivity factor 1) binds to UBF, and the Pol I complex is formed.
    • TATA-binding proteins (TBPs) can bind to all three polymerases.
    • The rapid recycling of Pol I allows for the synthesis of large amounts of rRNA from one tandem array to another.

    RNA Polymerase III promoter

    • Promoter structure is more diverse and complex than Pol I promoters.
    • Production can vary based on regulation, producing different RNA transcripts at different times based on the needs of the cell.
    • Specialized in producing smaller, highly abundant non-coding RNAs like tRNA, 5S rRNA, 7SL RNA, and U6 snRNP.

    RNA Polymerase II promoter

    • The most diverse and complex control mechanism of the three polymerases.
    • Expression levels can vary greatly (10,000-fold) in response to stimuli.
    • Some genes consistently express at high levels while others are expressed only under specific conditions.
    • Eukaryotic cells have far more protein-coding genes (∼20,000).

    RNA Polymerase II structure

    • RNA polymerase II core enzyme has 12 subunits, some with bacterial homology.
    • The carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of the tail is important for regulating the enzyme's activity and it can be modified by phosphorylation.

    RNA pol II core promoters

    • Elements like BRE (TFII-B Recognition Element), TATA box, INR (Initiator), and DPE (Downstream Promoter Element) affect the specificity and strength of transcription.

    Eukaryotic Transcription Cycle

    • Processes include PIC (pre-initiation complex) formation, bubble formation, initiation, elongation, termination, and recycling, including CTD dephosphorylation.
    • General transcription factors are required for initiating Pol II transcription.

    Core promoter structure and function

    • Enhancer sequences are important in regulating transcription.
    • General transcription factors like TFII-D, TFIIA, TFII-B, TFIIF, TFIIE, and TFIIH play essential roles in assembling the pre-initiation complex on the DNA to recruit and bring in the correct polymerase for transcription.

    Mediator complex

    • Integrates signals from enhancers and activating proteins.
    • Binds to the RNA polymerase II complex to control transcriptional activity.

    Insulators

    • Binding proteins limit the effects of enhancers to specific genes/regions to prevent unwanted transcriptional activation.

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    Explore the intricacies of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes, including their structures, transcription processes, and the role of specialized polymerases. This quiz covers key concepts such as ORFs, untranslated regions, and mRNA processing. Test your understanding of molecular biology fundamentals.

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