Transcriptional Control of Eukaryotic Gene Expression

Flashcards covering key concepts related to transcriptional control of gene expression in eukaryotes.

Eukaryotic gene expression

Regulation of gene activity in eukaryotic cells that includes processes like transcription initiation and chromatin control.

Transcription initiation

The process where RNA Polymerase binds to the promoter and starts synthesizing RNA from the DNA template.

Chromatin structure

Organization of DNA and histone proteins in the nucleus that influences gene expression and transcription rate.

Histone acetylation

A modification that typically enhances transcription by neutralizing the positive charge on histones, leading to a more open chromatin structure.

Cis-regulatory elements

DNA sequences located near genes that control gene expression by providing binding sites for transcription factors.

Transcription factors (TFs)

Proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences to regulate the transcription of genes.

Enhancers

Elements that increase the likelihood of transcription of particular genes, even if located far from the promoter.

Repressors

Proteins that can bind to DNA and block transcription, often by recruiting histone deacetylases.

General transcription factors (GTFs)

Proteins required for the initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II, including TFIID, TFIIB, and TFIIH.

Mediators

Complexes that act as intermediaries between activators and the transcriptional machinery to facilitate transcription.

Epigenetics

The study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence.

DNA methylation

A chemical modification of DNA that typically represses gene transcription when applied to cytosine residues.

Pioneer transcription factors

Proteins that can initiate transcriptional activation in condensed chromatin environments.

Polycomb Repressor Complex (PRC)

A group of proteins that maintain the silenced state of genes by methylating histones.

Zinc finger proteins

DNA-binding proteins characterized by zinc-coordinating motifs that can bind to specific DNA sequences.

Ligand-induced conformational change

Alterations in transcription factor structure upon ligand binding leading to changes in gene aktivitas.

RNA polymerase II

The enzyme responsible for synthesizing mRNA from a DNA template during transcription in eukaryotes.

Transcriptional burst

A rapid increase in transcription activity, typically followed by periods of lower activity.

Footprinting assay

An experimental technique used to identify the specific DNA sequences bound by proteins.

Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA)

A method for studying protein-DNA interactions by observing the migration of DNA-protein complexes in a gel.

Run-on transcription assay

An experimental approach to measure the rates of transcription by assessing newly synthesized RNA.

Histone code

The hypothesis that specific patterns of histone modifications are recognized by specific regulatory proteins to influence transcription.