Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing key concepts about gene expression control in eukaryotes.

Chromatin Remodeling

A method utilized by eukaryotes, but not bacteria, to control gene expression by altering the structure of chromatin.

RNA Splicing

A process that allows more than one type of protein to be produced from a single gene.

Histones

Positively charged proteins that associate with DNA, which is critical for their interaction.

DNase

An enzyme that preferentially digests DNA not associated with protein, useful for assessing chromatin configuration.

Eukaryotic Genes (Default State)

Due to association with nucleosomes, the default state for eukaryotic genes is to be turned off.

Histone Acetylation

The acetylation of histones leads to higher levels of gene expression.

Histone Deacetylase

A constitutively active histone deacetylase will show low levels of gene expression.

Epigenetic Inheritance

A pattern of inheritance in which heritable differences in phenotype are due to something other than differences in DNA sequence.

TATA-binding protein (TBP)

Binds to the promoter.

Enhancer

A sequence that is at considerable distances from the promoter and can be moved or inverted and still function.

Regulatory Proteins

The reason for differences in the sets of proteins expressed in different cell types is that they contain different sets of regulatory proteins.

Silencer

A DNA sequence that, when deleted, increases the rate of transcription.

Chromatin-remodeling complexes

Recognize specific transcription factors bound to regulatory sequences of DNA.

Basal Transcription Factor

The TATA-binding protein is an example of a basal transcription factor.

Regulatory Transcription Factors

Influence the assembly of the basal transcription complex.

Alternative Splicing

A process that leads to more proteins being produced than the number of protein-coding genes.

Alternative Splicing

Comparison of the sequences of different mRNAs made from a gene can detect alternative splicing.

Alternative Splicing (Location)

Alternative splicing takes place in the nucleus.

Gene

A sequence of DNA capable of directing the synthesis of one or more related polypeptides or RNAs.

RNA interference

An important way to regulate the stability of mRNA.

Tumor Suppressor Gene

Prevents progression of the cell cycle unless conditions are right for moving forward.

Proto-oncogene to oncogene

A mutation that greatly increases the amount of the proto-oncogene protein.

p53

Activates genes that arrest the cell cycle.

MeCP2

Gene-specific regulator of chromatin condensation.

Alternative splicing

A mechanism could account for the production of these different BDNF mRNAs.