Gary Sharples Flashcards
(139 cards)
What is the difference between :
Dna A and dna A
The one with the capital is a protein the one in lower case is a gene.
What was the Meselson-Stahl experiment? What did it conclude?
- Bacterial cells grown for several generations on a medium containing heavy N15 nitrogen medium (DNA therefore contained heavy N15 DNA).
- the cells were then transferred to a lighter N14 medium.
- at various time the DNA was extracted and dissolved in a solution of caesium chloride and spun in centrafuge.
- conch gradient is established.
- first generation contained mix of light and heavy.
- second generation contained both LL and LH .
How was the discovery of bidirectional replication carried out?
Using Radioisotopes, the density was the same either side of the origin of replication. (If unidirectional it would only occur one side).
- grow e.coli in media without radioactively lab led thymidine.
- grow in 3H thymidine of low specific activity.
Grow 3H thymidine of high specific activity.
Explain the process of bidirectional replication
When DNA is stored in double stranded circle covalent lay closed. Replication begins at the origin of replication.
Semi conservative replication proceeds in 2 directions.
- Per circle there are 2 replication forks, each one with leading and lagging strand.
What is the difference between leading and lagging strand synthesis?
Leading strand is synthesised continually in the 5’ to 3’ direction.
Lagging strand is synthesised discontinuously in short pieces known as Okazaki fragments. Still in the 5’ to 3’ direction.
What do all DNA polymerases add nucleotides to the 3’ end of a growing strand?
- a template: strand to copy
- a primer: another strand annealed to the template tot supply a 3’ OH group
- dNTPs: deoxynucleoside triphospahte.
How is DNA polymerase capable of correcting mistakes?
It has a 3’ to 5’ exon lease activity, this means it only makes mistake 1/5*10^7 bp
Explain the process of DNA polymerase exotic lease activity.
- Polymerase miss airs dC with dT.
- Polymerase repositions the miss paired 3’ terminus into the 3’ to 5’ exonuclease site.
- Exonuclease hydrolysed the miss paired dC
- The 3’ terminus repositions back to the polymerase site
- Polymerase in-cooperates the correct nucleotide
How is DNA replication primed?
By RNA, the RNA primer (oligonucleotides) are synthesised by DNA primase.
- DNA polymerase then extends the RNA primers.
In bacteria what synthesises the RNA primers?
How long are the oligonucleotides that are synthesised?
DNA primase DnaG.
10-12 base pairs long.
How is the primer removed?
The primer is removed by DNA polymerases 5’ to 3’ exonuclease activity (this is different from the 3’ to 5’ used to correct bases). It syntheses a new DNA strand as the RNA is removed.
How are nicks in the DNA backbone sealed?
DNA ligase seals the nicks in the backbone between Okazaki fragments by catalysing the formation of a phosphorites tear bond. E.coli DNA ligase utilises nicotine midge (NAD) as a cofactors in this reaction.
How are parent strands separated at the replication fork?
DnaB helically. A 5’ to 3’ helicase that unwinds the parental DNA as it moves.
How does DnaB helicases structure enable it to carry out its function?
It consists of 6 identical subunits that forms a ring.
Of the 6 identical ATP binding sites 2 opposing ATP bind ATP tightly. 2 are more likely to bind ADP and phosphate and 2 are empty.
- these may inter convert as ATP is hydrolysed- this creates a ripple effect that continually runs around the ring.
- because of these conformaitonal changes the loops in the centre of the ring for DNA binding cause ossolation up and down.
- it’s thought the ossolation gloop may pull DNA though the central hole thus unwinding the double stranded helix.
Why is DnaG primase bound to DnaB helicases?
It ensures that DnaG is in the correct position for RNA primer synthesis. The activities of both protein are stimulated by this interaction .
What polymerase is used as the replicative polymerase in E.coli?
DNA polymerase III
What is OriC?
A 245 bop sequence necessary for replication.
- 5 repeats of a 9bp sequence make up the R1-5 for key initiator protein DnaA
- 3 additional repeats are bound by DnaA only when complex with ATP.
What is DUE at OriC?
The DNA unwinding element is called DUE. It is AT rich and the site where DNA is opened for replication.
How is the initiation of DNA replication regulated?
Hda stimulates ATP hydrolysis by DnaA to aid dissemble after initiation.
Dam methylates adenine at GATC in e.Coli
How is DnaB loaded onto the fork?
DnaB is loaded onto the replication fork by DnaC, it opens the DnaB ring. ATP hydrolysis releases DnaC leaving DnaB bound to the ring.
What is SSB?
An accessory protein.
- It stops unwound parent strands from reanealing.
- protects DNA strand from degradation or damage.
What does DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II) do?
Alleviates supercooling by cutting 2 strands of a DNA molecule and passing another though the break before reasealsing the cut strands.
What do the 3 DNA polymerases do in E.coli?
DNA polymerase 1: removes RNA primer and replaces it with DNA
DNA polymerase 2: filling gaps following repair of DNA damage
DNA polymerase 3: chromosome replication
What is the purpose of the B sliding clamp on DNA polymerase III?
Homodimer which encircles DNA.
Imparts process it’s by ensuring that the core polymerase does not fall off during DNA synthesis.