From DNA to RNA I: Genes Polymerases and Promoters

gene

genetic unit containing information to make a functional product

what do information genes (protein-coding genes) contain

1. structural - coding DNA

2. temporal - developmental

3. positional - tissue cell specific eg insulin in the beta cells in the islets of langerhans in the pancreas

4. inducible - in response to nutrients, stress, hormones

promoter

defines transcription start site for RNA polymerase and direction

leader/spacer

section of DNA which is not translated

operon

information that makes one or more protein which is organised into sequences of cistrons

cistron

segment of DNA corresponding to one polypeptide

prokaryotic gene organisation

promoter

leader/spacer

operons

cistrons

terminator

what makes up the regulatory gene in a prokaryote

• promoter

• operator

function of regulatory gene sequence in operon

• acts as binding sites for regulatory proteins that inhibit / promote transcription

enhancer

• contains transcription factor binding sites

• found at 5’

UTR

• found at 5’ and 3’

• controls post-transcriptional regulation

eukaryotic gene organisation

• enhancer

• promoter with TATA

• 5’ UTR

• 3’UTR

• terminator