RNA Metabolism Flashcards
(103 cards)
Is the coding strand identical or complementary to the mRNA (except for T/u)?
The coding strand is identical
Is the DNA template strand complementary or identical to the coding strand?
DNA template strand is complementary and antiparallel to the mRNA
In what direction is mRNA synthesized?
5’ to 3’ from the template strand
In what direction do ribosomes translate mRNA?
In the 5’ to 3’ direction, synthesis goals the protein from the amino terminus to the carbonyl terminus
When the template strand is copied into RNA, what strand is it on the DNA helix?
The 3’ to 5’ strand in the DNA double helix (the “bottom strand” in written DNA)
What strand is the coding strand?
The non-template strand (the “top strand” in written DNA)
Can be read as the RNA strand provided all T’s are read as U’s
How many RNA polymerase are found in bacteria?
Only 1 type
Does RNA polymerase have proofreading ability?
Nope, it makes errors at a rate of 1 in 10k bases
When can RNA polymerase start transcription?
At a particular DNA sequence in front of the gene (promoter)
It does not require a primer
Where does RNA polymerase bind when the promoter or promoter site is found?
From 70 bp’s before the transcription start site to 30 bp after the transcription start site
What is the sigma factor?
The part of the promoter site which binds to RNA polymerase.
- a detachable subunit of RNA polymerase and guides it to the promoter
What is the combination of the core enzyme (RNA polymerase) and the sigma factor called?
The holoenzyme
What drives the reaction of RNA polymerase?
Hydrolysis of pyro-phosphate drives the reaction
Where does RNA polymerase attack in order to grow an RNA chain?
RNA polymerase catalyzes an attack on the 3’ OH of the nucleotide at the end of the growing strand, using the 5’ alpha-phosphate of the incoming NTP
How do you denote the DNA sequence of a transcribed DNA?
The first nucleotide (start site) of a transcribed DNA sequence (coding strand) is denoted as +1 and the second one as +2 etc
The nucleotide preceding the start site is -1
What is the pribnow box?
The -10 region in a bacterial promoter sequence
What are the two conserved promoter sequences found in bacteria?
- 35 region
- 10 region, also called the pribnow box
How does RNA polymerase determine orientation of promoter sequence?
An RNA that moves from left to right makes RNA by using the bottom strand as a template
An RNA polymerase that moves from right to left makes RNA by using the top strand as template
what are the 3 factors important for promoter strength?
- The consensus sequences
- The spacing between the consensus sequence
- The distance of the consensus sequences from the transcription start site
What can increase efficiency of the promoters?
Negative supercooling by topoisomeases can increase efficiency of promoters
After the promotor is cleared and RNA polymerase attaches what happens?
A major conformational change that cannot revert
How many Bp remain unwound during transcription?
15-17 bp remain unwound during transcription (= transcription bubble) and RNA/DNA hybrid stays limited to 7bp
What are the two termination of bacterial transcription?
- Rho factor
2. Rho factor-independent
What is the Rho factor?
An ATP-dependent helicase which can unwind RNA/DNA hybrids