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FSU Cell Structure and Function Su '23 exam 2
What genes are expressed across all cell types?
Genes involved in common cell processes → Housekeeping Genes
At any one time, the typical human cell expresses what percentage of its ~25,000 genes?
30-60%
genes expressed in each cell determines type, structure and its function
What method allows you to identify cell type?
mRNA sequencing
What are the main ways we are studying (in this class) that gene expression is regulated?
transcriptional control
mRNA degradation control
What is transcription initiation dependent on?
proper localization of sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors.
how are the major and minor grooves of DNA involved in transcription regulation?
Transcription regulators can read DNA nucleotides from the outside by looking at the way they are bound to the major and minor grooves
Transcriptional proteins surface is complementary to surface features of double helix
True or False: Transcription factors separate 2 strands of DNA to read bases.
False
Transcription factors bind to OUTSIDE of DNA structure, no need to separate strands
How do transcription regulators increase their affinity and specificity to DNA sequences?
Dimerization = allows two transcription regulators to bind together to increase the specificity of the sequence they bind to by lengthening the sequence required by an order of magnitude
Homodimer = two of same transcription regulator binds together
Heterodimer = two different transcription regulators bind together
What are operons in prokaryotes?
strand of DNA with multiple coding genes together under the control of a single promoter.
genes are transcribed together into one single mRNA strand → are generally functionally related to each other
unique to prokaryotes
What is an operator on the promoter region of an operon?
cis-regulatory sequence located within the promoter that allows binding of transcription regulators.
What is the function of repressor regulatory proteins?
Form of negative allosteric activation where the presence of a molecule turns off the expression of the molecule’s synthesis gene
What is an example of a repressor regulatory proteins?
The tryptophan operon
Low trp concentration = operon is ON, trp is synthesized
High trp concentration = trp binds to trp repressor which binds to operator binding site, turning OFF operon → no trp synthesized
What is the function of the activator regulatory proteins?
Binds to cis-regulatory sequences and recruits RNA polymerase to help it initiate transcription at poorly functioning promoter
increases rate of transcription 1000x
What is an example of an activator regulatory proteins?
Lac operon
high glucose, high lactose → operon off
high glucose, low lactose → lac repressor binds to operon, stops processing of lactose
low glucose, low lactose → both activator and repressor binds to operon, no lactose is processed
low glucose, high lactose → operon is ON, lactose is processed
What eukaryotic control regions regulate gene expression?
Promoter
allows general transcription factors and the polymerase to assemble
cis-regulatory sequences (enhancers)
transcription regulators bind to control the rate of the gene activation.
What allows for transcription regulators to communicate with proteins assembled at the promoter?
DNA looping
how do eukaryotic transcription regulators function differently than those of prokaryotes?
They assemble at cis-regulatory sequences in groups rather than individually
some transcription regulators are interchangeable between different binding sites
True or False: co-activators and co-repressors bind directly to DNA to control gene expression
False
They bind to transcription factors that are bound to the DNA → work indirectly to DNA
What are the 4 ways that chromatin remodeling complexes work to make DNA accessible for transcription?
Histone remodeling → Nucleosome sliding
Histone removal
Histone replacement → histone variants
Specific pattern of histone modification
How are control regions of different genes kept from interfering with one another?
Insulators
elements on either sides of the cis-regulatory sequence and its gene
bind together to form a loop and stops interactions with other genes
How are different types of cells created?
Different combinations of transcription regulators convey different information to specify a genetic regulatory event
ex) artificial introduction of the gene encoding the transcription regulator MyoD into fibroblasts cultured from skin tissue, the fibroblasts form muscle-like cells
Can already differentiated cells be transitioned into different cell types?
Yes
Artificial manipulation of transcription regulators can also coax various differentiated cells to de-differentiate into pluripotent stem cells that are capable of giving rise to the different cell types
How can chromosome-wide alteration in chromatin structure can be inherited?
dosage compensation
mechanism to ensure that the same amount of most of the X-chromosome gene products is made in both male and female cells
happens because of transcriptional inactivation of one of the two X-chromosomes in female somatic cells → X-inactivation
What triggers mammalian x-inactivation in females?
Synthesis of a long non-coding RNA called Xist inactivates a large portion of the x-chromosome with some “escapees”
What is RNA interference caused by and what’s its function?
RNA interference is caused by short single-stranded RNAs that selectively bind to the bases of other RNAs in a cell leading to…
inhibiting its translation
catalyzing its rapid destruction
directing the formation of repressive chromatin on its attached DNA template to block further transcription
What do miRNAs do?
They base pair to specific RNAs and fine tune their translation and stability
synthesized by RNA pol II and are 5’ capped and polyadenylated
used to form RISCs
What are RISCs and what do they do?
miRNA assembles with a set of proteins to form a RISC
seek their complementary base-paired mRNA
if there’s enough of a match, the mRNA is sliced
if base-pairing between the miRNA and the mRNA is less extensive, translation of the mRNA is repressed by the recruitment of deadenylase enzymes—which shorten the poly-A tail—and other proteins that directly block access of the mRNA to the proteins
How does RNA interference direct heterochromatin formation?
short siRNAs produced by the Dicer protein are assembled with a group of proteins to form an RITS (RNA-induced transcriptional silencing) complex.
Complex binds complementary RNA transcripts as they emerge from a transcribing RNA pol II.
complex then attracts enzymes that covalently modify nearby histones and DNA causing the formation of a “constitutive” form of heterochromatin.
Which of the following does NOT have an effect on the time and place that a certain gene is transcribed in the cell?
A. The type of cis-regulatory sequences associated with it
B. The relative position of cis-regulatory sequences associated with it
C. The arrangement of various cis-regulatory sequences associated with it
D. The specific combination of transcription regulators present in the nucleus
E. The specific combination of transcription regulators present in the cytoplasm
E. The specific combination of transcription regulators present in the cytoplasm
In mammals, X inactivation occurs when more than one X chromosome is present in a somatic cell. Why does this occur?
A. To cause phenotypic differences between the sexes
B. To avoid nondisjunction of sex chromosomes
C. To allow a higher rate of expression from the active X chromosome
D. To achieve dosage compensation
D. To achieve dosage compensation
about ______ of the proteins encoded in an animal’s genome are membrane proteins.
30%
What forces hold together lipids and proteins?
non-covalent interactions
All cell membrane lipids are _______.
amphipathic
hydrophyllic (polar) heads
hydrophobic (non-polar) tails
In the fatty acid making up the hydrophobic tail, what is the difference between unsaturated and saturated?
Unsaturated = has at least 1 cis-double bond that bends the tail structure
Saturated = does not have cis-double bonding
What is the main phospholipid in most animal cell membranes and what is its’ features?
glycerophospholipids
Three-carbon glycerol backbone
Two long-chain fatty acids (linked through ester bonds to the glycerol)
glycerol is attached to a phosphate group (is linked to one of several types of head group)
What are sphingolipids and their features?
sphingolipids = built from sphingosine rather than glycerol
has long fatty acid tail with amino (NH) group and two hydroxy (OH) groups
What are glycolipids and their features?
Glycolipids = resembles sphingolipids, but have sugars attached
found exclusively in monolayer facing away from cytosol (inside organelles and outside of cell)
made of sphingosine in animals
help protect membrane against harsh conditions, cell-recognition, and electrical charge
What are sterols and what is their function in the cell membrane?
Rigid ring structures related to steroids but containing a single polar hydroxyl group and a short nonpolar hydrocarbon chain.
act as a buffer, maintain fluidity of membrane
mainly found in animals
cholesterol = main sterol in animals
Why do hydrophilic molecules dissolve in water?
because they contain charged or uncharged polar groups that can form either favorable electrostatic interactions or hydrogen bonds with water molecules
Why are hydrophobic molecules insoluble in water?
because all, or almost all, of their atoms are uncharged and nonpolar and therefore cannot form energetically favorable interactions with water molecules.
What causes lipids to spontaneously form bilayers?
The ordering of water molecules around hydrophobic molecules increases the entropy of the system (not favorable).
To minimize the number of water molecules affected, hydrophobic molecules cluster together in aqueous environment. to…
How do lipid molecules organize themselves spontaneously to pack together?
minimize exposure of their hydrophobic tails to water
maximize exposure of their hydrophilic heads to water.
What are the two forms of bilayers and what molecules make them up?
Spherical micelles
formed by cone-shaped amphiphilic molecules with one hydrophobic tails
Double layered sheets
classic lipid bilayer shape, formed by cylindrical amphiphilic molecules with two hydrophobic tails
How do bilayers avoid having edges?
they close in on themselves forming a sealed compartment
idea behind how cells originally formed
What are the different ways that lipids can move within the bilayer?
flexion
lateral diffusion
flip-flops (rare)
rotation
Why is the asymmetry of the lipid bilayer important for cell function?
Creates a difference in charge between one side of the membrane by confiding phosphatidylserine in inner layer of membrane
Converting extracellular messages to intracellular
Distinguish between live and dead cells
presence of phosphatidylserine on outside of cell indicates cellular death
What are transmembrane proteins?
Membrane proteins extending through the entire lipid bilayer
What are cystolic monolayer anchored proteins?
Proteins attached to cystolic (facing inside of cell) either by an amphiphilic alpha helix exposed on the surface of the protein or by one or more covalently attached lipid chains.
What are extracellular monolayer proteins?
Proteins entirely exposed at external cellular surface
attached only by a covalent linkage to a lipid anchor on the outer monolayer
What are membrane-associated proteins?
Proteins bonded to other proteins on the external/internal monolayer, can easily dissociate → not as strong of a bond
True or False: transmembrane alpha helices can interact with each other.
True. proteins can interact with each other via strong non-covalent forces to form channels that allow for many important cellular processes
Do beta barrels arrange the same way as alpha helices in the cellular membrane?
No. Beta barrel membrane proteins form together only as a cylinder.
size and shape is highly variable to allow certain hydrophilic molecules to enter/exit the cell
What does it mean when a membrane protein is glycosylated?
It means the protein is coated with oligosaccharide and polysaccharide chains facing the outside of the cell → bound to membrane proteins and lipids
What is the name for carbohydrate-rich zones on the cell surface and what is their function?
cell coat / glycocalyx
function is to protect against mechanical and chemical damage, prevents unwanted cell-cell interactions
What are detergents?
small amphipathic molecules that can disrupt hydrophobic associations and disassemble the lipid bilayer
also have one hydrophobic and one hydrophilic side → similar to lipids
How do detergents break down lipid bilayers?
hydrophobic ends of detergents attach to the hydrophobic parts of membrane proteins, pushing out lipid molecules and forming a collar of detergent molecules. Since the other end of the detergent is polar, this interaction helps dissolve the membrane proteins in solution, forming detergent-protein complexes.
How does membrane diffusion help maintain membrane fluidity?
if a certain portion of the bilayer is modified, membrane lipids diffuse to even out modified area.
What stops the diffusion of lipids and protein molecules between cells?
epithelial cells
Enzymes on the plasma membrane are found either on the top surface (apical) or on the bottom and side surfaces (basal and lateral) of cells. Additionally, the lipid compositions of these two areas of the membrane are different
The barriers set up by a specific type of intercellular junction (called a tight junction)
What are the 4 ways that plasma membrane proteins’ lateral movement is restricted?
A. proteins can self-assemble into large aggregates
B. they can be tethered by interactions with assemblies of macromolecules inside the cell
C. they can be tethered by interactions with assemblies of macromolecules outside the cell
D. interact with proteins on the surface of another cell
What are the 3 ways that membrane-bending proteins deform the lipid bilayer?
Insertion of hydrophobic protein domains or attached lipid anchors into leaflets of lipid bilayer → increasing area of one leaflet bends protein
Forming rigid scaffolds to deform the membrane / support already bent membrane
Manipulation of specific lipids strategically bends the proteins
Which of the following is NOT correct regarding the molecule whose structural formula is shown below? A. It is an amphiphilic molecule.
B. It is a sterol.
C. It makes the membrane less permeable to small hydrophilic molecules.
D. It is found in membranes of virtually all living cells.
E. It affects the fluidity of the lipid bilayer.
D. It is found in membranes of virtually all living cells.
Which of the following is NOT a function of a glycolipid?
A. Protect the cell against degradative enzymes
B. Participate in the cell recognition process
C. Protect the cell against low pH
D. Alter the electrical field across the plasma membrane
E. Assist in solubility of proteins near the plasma membrane in the cytosol
E. Assist in solubility of proteins near the plasma membrane in the cytosol
What 2 factors impact the rate of diffusion of molecules across membranes?
Size → the smaller the molecule, the easier it diffuses
Hydrophobicity → the more hydrophobic/nonpolar the molecule is, the easier it will diffuse across
What are the two main classes of membrane transport proteins?
Transporters
Channels
Each one often transports specific molecular species/class
What are transporter transport proteins?
Transport proteins that undergoes conformational change to expose solute-binding site to transport target molecule
What are channel transport proteins?
transport proteins that form continuous pores extending across lipid bilayer, allowing solutes to pass through them.
What is passive transport?
Transportation of molecules down the concentration or electrochemical gradient without the need for energy
What is active transport?
Movement of solute against its concentration or electrochemical gradient using energy
The inside of cells tend to be ______ charged.
Negatively
What are the three ways that active transport is carried out?
Coupled transport
ATP-driven pumps
Light-driven pumps
What is coupled active transport?
transportation of target molecule against its concentration gradient is powered by the transport of another molecule down its concentration gradient.
What are ATP-driven pumps?
hydrolyzation of ATP to push molecule against concentration gradient → classic example
What are light-driven pumps?
uses energy of light to push molecule against concentration gradient
What are uniporters?
transporters that allow for the passive transport of a single molecule.
What is are the two types of coupled transporters?
Symporters → couple transfer of second molecule in the same direction
Antiporters → couple transfer of second molecule in opposite direction
How do transporters in epithelial cells help with transcellular transport?
The transporters create a bridge allowing molecules to move across epithelial cell layer into extracellular fluid
What are the 3 classes of ATP-driven pumps?
P-type pumps
ABC transporters
V-type pumps
What are P-type pumps and what is their main function?
They phosphorylate themselves during the pumping cycle to push molecules against their gradient
many ion pumps are in this category
What are ABC transporters and what’s their usual function?
ABC transporters = ATP-binding casette transporters
mainly pump small organing molecules across membrane
What are V-type pumps and what is their function?
Pumps made up of different subunits
transfers H+ into organelles
What are F-type ATPases (AKA ATP Synthase)?
use H+ gradient across membrane to drive syntehsis of ATP from ADP and P
found in bacteria and mitochondria
What is the function of P-type ATPase in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)?
to pump Ca2+ into the SR so it can act as storage for them
What does the ion exchange look like in a Na+/K+ pump?
3 NA+ lost, 2K+ gained
electrogenic → drives net current acrosss membrane
What are aquaporin channels and how do they work?
pores that allow water to move rapidly in and out of cells
disallow ions
allow single water molecules to pass through, too narrow for hydrated ion
two asparagines bind to O atom of H2O to pull string of water molecules
What is the selectivity filter?
filter that limits a channel’s rate of ion movement.
determines which ions can pass → gated
What are the 3 main types of stimuli that open ion channels?
change in voltage (voltage-gated)
mechanical stress (mechanically-gated)
ligand binding (ligand-gated)
How do voltage-gated channels generate action potentials?
K+ channels depolarize and Na+ depolarize with a refractory period that restricts backflow of the signal. this allows for the signal to propagate down the axon of neurons.
Why do cells not have membrane transport proteins for O2?
a. Because they need to keep the oxygen concentration low inside the reducing environment of the cell
b. Because oxygen can dissolve in water and leak in via water channels
c. Because oxygen can dissolve in the lipid bilayer and diffuse in and out rapidly without the need for a transporter
d. Because oxygen is transported in and out of the cell in special oxygen-carrying proteins such as hemoglobin e. Because oxygen transport across a membrane is energetically unfavorable
c. Because oxygen can dissolve in the lipid bilayer and diffuse in and out rapidly without the need for a transporter
Aquaporin has a pair of key asparagine residues located on the wall almost halfway through its pore. These residues simultaneously bind to the oxygen atom of a passing water molecule, rendering it unavailable for hydrogen bonding. As a result, what happens?
a. The channel can conduct negatively charged (but not positively charged) ions.
b. The channel can conduct glycerol as well as water.
c. The channel cannot conduct glycerol.
d. The channel cannot conduct protons.
e. The channel cannot conduct chloride ions.
d. The channel cannot conduct protons.
What are the 2 functional importances of organelles?
providing increased membrane area for biochemical RX
creating functionally specialized spaces within cell
What is the function of the endoplasmic recticulum (ER)?
assembles soluble and integral membrane proteins for cell exterior/ organelles
produces most cellular lipids and sterols
acts as storage for Ca2+ ions
What is the function of the golgi apparatus?
receives lipids and proteins from ER, packages them to various destinations
What is the functions of lysosomes?
uses digestive enzymes to degrade intracellular organelles and particles taken in from outside the cell
What is the function of peroxisomes?
contain enzymes to carryout oxidative reactions
What percentage of the cell is organelles? cytosol?
50-50
What was the timeline for how ancestral cells acquired organelles?
the ancestral cells might have initially increased by plasma membrane protrusions to increase the capacity to metabolites exchange with the environment
Symbioses and membrane expansion increased resource availability allowed cells to grow larger.
the network of spaces between protrusions would have become sealed off from the surrounding environment.
What are the 4 ways that proteins can move between compartments in the cell?
Protein translocation
gated transport
vesicular transport
engulfment
What is protein translocation?
transmembrane protein translocators directly transport specific proteins from cytosol into space that is topologically distinct
What is gated transport?
proteins and RNA molecules move b/w cytosol and nucleus through nuclear pore complexes
What is vesicular transport?
membrane-enclosed transport that ferries proteins from one compartment to another
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