Transcriptional Regulation in Bacteria and Eukaryotes

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to transcriptional regulation in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Regulatory Transcription Factors (RTFs)

Proteins that bind to DNA and affect the rate of transcription.

Repressor

A type of regulatory protein that inhibits transcription, known as negative control.

Activator

A protein that increases transcription, known as positive control.

Inducible Genes

Genes that can be turned on or induced by effectors, like inducers.

Corepressor

An effector molecule that binds to a repressor, enhancing its ability to inhibit transcription.

Allosteric Regulation

Regulation caused by the binding of a substance at a site other than the active site, leading to a conformational change.

Operon

A regulatory unit consisting of a few protein-coding genes under the control of one promoter.

Cis-acting Element

A DNA sequence that must be adjacent to the gene it regulates.

Catabolite Repression

A regulatory mechanism where the presence of glucose inhibits the lac operon.

Feedback Inhibition

A process where the end product of a metabolic pathway inhibits an enzyme involved in its production.

Trans-effect

Genetic regulation that can occur even when DNA segments are not physically adjacent.

Attenuation

A mechanism of regulation that terminates transcription prematurely based on certain conditions, such as tryptophan levels.

Riboswitch

An RNA molecule that can regulate gene expression by changing shape in response to small molecules.

Posttranslational Regulation

The control of protein activity after they have been translated.

Gene Activation

A series of events that allow a gene to be transcribed to produce an RNA molecule.

Nucleosome-free Region (NFR)

A region around the core promoter of a gene that is devoid of nucleosomes, allowing transcription to occur.

Chromatin Remodeling

The alteration of chromatin structure to regulate access to DNA for transcription.

Histone Acetylation

The addition of acetyl groups to histones, leading to a more open chromatin structure and increased transcription.

DNA Methylation

The addition of methyl groups to DNA, usually resulting in gene repression.