TMC 7

Question 1

What is a gene promoter?

Answer 1

Where RNA polymerase transcribes a gene from
Main regulatory portion of a gene
Range in how well they promote transcription

Question 2

What is the difference between a strong and weak promoter with respect to gene expression?

Answer 2

A strong promoter will transcribe a lot of RNA
A weak promoter will transcribe low amounts of RNA

Question 3

Outline the key concepts in transcription regulation.

Answer 3

Transcription can be upregulated or downregulated
The presence/absence of a repressor/activator can regulate transcription
The state of chromatin will dictate whether the RNA is transcribed or not
Methylation will dictate whether transcription is increased or decreased
Promoters - cell specificity, temporal specificity, strong/weak promoters

Question 4

What are the similarities and differences in transcription regulation between mammals, eukaryotes and prokaryotes?

Answer 4

All are affect by the presence/absence of a activator/repressor
Eukaryotes and mammals are affected by the state of the chromatin
Mammals are affected by methylation

Question 5

List four ways a gene can be upregulated in a mammal cell

Answer 5

Presence of activator
Absence of repressor
Demethylated
Euchromatin

Question 6

List four ways a gene can be downregulated in a mammal cell

Answer 6

Absence of activator
Presence of repressor
Methylation
Heterochromatin

Question 7

Give an example of a housekeeping gene and a tissue specific gene.

Answer 7

Housekeeping gene - RPS13 which encodes ribosomal protein 13 and GAPDH which encodes an enzyme in glycolysis
Tissue specific - TNN13 which encodes cardiac-specific troponin I

Question 8

What protein can be used as a biomarker for heart attacks?

Answer 8

TTN13 cardiac specific troponin 1
It is specific to the heart therefore after a heart attack the amount in the blood can be used to assess the severity of the attack- how many cells did lyse.