Anatomy of the Gene: Promoters and Enhancers (Gilbert, p.

39)

Promoters -- where RNA polymerase binds to the DNA to initiate transcription
-- located upstream from transcription (TATA 30 bp upstream
TATA flanked by CpG islands
TATA-binding protein (TBP) forms a complex (TFIID) with other proteins so that the
RNA polymerase can bind.
TFIIB recruits and positions RNA Polymerase
TFIID binds that carboxyl terminal of RNA Polymerase
TFIIA and TFIIH stabilize the complex
Transcription-associated factors (TAF) stabilize the RNA Polymerase and initiate transcription
TFIIH phosphorylate the carboxyl terminal (CTD) of RNA Polymerase, releasing it from saddle
TFIID releases the carboxyl terminal

Enhancers DNA sequence that controls the efficiency and rate of transcription
When and where a promoter can be used
Activate only cis-linked promoters (same chromosome)
Enhancers bind specific transcription factors
1. recruit enzymes that breaks the nucleosomes
2. stabilize transcription initiation complex

DNA Methylation and Control of Transcription (p. 48)

How can cells continue to remain a lens cell and not activate muscle-specific genes?
Ans: DNA Methylation
5-
Promoters of inactive genes Methylated 5-Methylcytosine Nucleosome Staibility
5-Methylcytosine: 5
th
Base made after DNA replication
Conversion occurs only when Guanosine follows Cytosine. Hence, CpG
Ways to Repress Gene Expression
1. Block the binding of transcription factors to enhancers.
2. Recruit the proteins that facilitate methylation/deacetylation
Methylated cystosine MeCP2 binds MeCP2 binds to deacetylase (removes
acetyl group) and methytransferase (adds methyl group)
Nucleosomes form tight complexes
HP1 and Histone 1 (H1): bind and aggregate methylated histones

Differential RNA Processing (p. 53)

To become an active protein
1. remove introns
2. translocate from nucleus to cytoplasm
3. translate
4. posttranslational modification


Post-transcriptional RNA processing

censorship selecting which nuclear transcript are processed into cytoplasmic messages
splicing using different combinations of potential exons.
A single gene can produce an entire family of proteins

Creating families of protein though differential nRNA splicing

Alternative nRNA splicing produce wide variety of proteins from the same gene
Splice together different sets of exons different proteins
-- determination of which sequences will be spliced out as introns
-- consensus sequences at the 3 and 5 end of introns = splice sites of introns
Spliceosomes = small nuclear RNA (snRNA) + splicing factors = bind to the splice sites
An exon in one cell type may be an intron in another