Eukaryotic Gene Regulation Vocabulary

Flashcards reviewing key vocabulary terms related to eukaryotic gene regulation.

Transcription pre-initiation complex

Complex in eukaryotes involved in transcription initiation.

Mediator

A protein complex that mediates interactions between transcription factors and RNA polymerase II.

Gene/tissue-specific factors

Factors that affect the ability of GTFs to bind to the core promoter sequence.

Upstream TFs

Transcription factors that bind to DNA sequences upstream of the core promoter.

GTFs

General transcription factors

Activators

Transcription factors that increase gene expression.

Repressors

Transcription factors that decrease gene expression.

Elongation Factors

Proteins that stimulate RNA polymerase II to proceed to elongation during transcription.

Chromatin-remodeling complexes

Complexes that alter chromatin structure to regulate gene expression.

Histone modifications

Chemical modifications to histone proteins that affect chromatin structure and gene expression.

Histone modifying enzymes

Enzymes that add or remove chemical groups to or from histone proteins

ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes

Complexes that use ATP to remodel chromatin structure.

Nucleosomes

The basic structural unit of chromatin, composed of DNA wrapped around histone proteins.

Pioneer TF

A type of transcription factor that can bind to DNA in closed chromatin and initiate chromatin remodeling and transcription factor binding.

Transcription

The process of copying DNA into RNA.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from RNA.

Protein Level

The level of a protein present in a cell or organism.

Protein Function

The function of a protein in a cell or organism.

Core promoter sequence

The core DNA sequence where RNA polymerase II and general transcription factors bind to initiate transcription.

Acetylation

The addition of acetyl groups to histone proteins, typically associated with increased gene expression.