Genetics Martin lecture 1

what is the definition of a gene from classical genetics and studies of heredity?

genetic variant affecting a trait, where a genetic mutation has an effect on some phenotype

genetic mutation can affect either the … or … part of the gene

protein coding or regulatory

molecular definition of a gene

transcriptional unit encoding an RNA or protein where the gene product has some biochemical or cellular function

a gene is the stretch of DNA that encompasses the … sequence and the accompanying DNA … elements (i.e. the promoter)

answer with 5 words

coding sequence and regulatory elements

mutations to which type of sequence directly affect the protein product

coding

mutations to which sequence impact where, when and how much of a gene product is produced?

regulatory

gene products can function either as … or … molecules

RNA or protein

RNA gene products which are not translated into proteins possess …, … or … functions

structural, enzymatic or regulatory

5 types of RNAs which are not translated to protein

rRNA, tRNA, snRNA, miRNA and lncRNA

3 types of RNA which are regulatory RNAs

snRNA, miRNA and lncRNA

regulatory RNAs control … … rather than coding for proteins

gene expression

2 types of structural RNA

rRNA and tRNA

function of snRNA?

processing of mRNA

function of miRNA?

regulation of post transcriptional gene expression

function of lncRNA?

regulation of gene expression in a variety of ways

which two RNAs comprise approx 80-90% of total RNA?

rRNA and tRNA

which type of mRNA comprises approx 2-3% of total RNA?

mRNA

in general regulatory RNAs affect …, … and … of mRNA

stability, translation and modifications

different protein isoforms are produced by the same gene through … … of mRNA

alternative splicing

fully differentiated cells are still capable of … (think dolly the sheep)

expressing all the genes necessary to build a new organism

Dolly was cloned through which technique

somatic nuclear transfer

outline the procedure of somatic nuclear transfer (one sentance)

nucleus of a somatic cell is transfered into a denucleated egg cell

differentiated cells express only a subset of genes they are capable of expressing because … and … cues switch on/off the expression of specific genes

environmental and developmental cues switch on/off the expression of specific genes that distinguish one cell type from another by activating specific … …

transcription factors

differential gene expression is controlled through activating … … that activate the correct …, leading to further cascades of gene expression

signalling pathways, TF

switching on the correct TF for differential gene expression is usually achieved through … signals (external or internal)

external

examples of 2 cellular processes achieved through differential gene expression

cell differentiation and cell division

3 examples of cell functions achieved through differential gene expression (pancreatic cells, B cells and immune cells)

insulin secretion, antibody secretion and phagocytosis

spatial signals from the mother (nurse cells) sent to the embryo of drosophila melanogaster establish which two axes of the body?

anterior-posterior and dorsal-ventral

nurse cells transfer mRNAs encoding which 2 proteins to the developing embryo?

bicoid and nanos

mRNA encoding the bicoid and nanos proteins is transfered from the nurse cells to the embryo at which end?

anterior

the gradient of bicoid induces the expression of which 4 further TFs?

hunchback, kruppel, knirps and giant

different spacial combinations of BHKKG TFs contribute to which hox genes get turned on in which segments

copy this cus its important

different spatial combinations of BHKKG TFs contribute to which hox genes get turned on in which segments

many immune cells express receptors for conserved components of infectious agents called… (abbreviation)

PAMPs

what does PAMPs stand for?

pathogen associated molecular patterns

what is the name of the receptors with bind to PAMPs?

pattern recognition receptors

what does PRRs stand for?

pattern recognition receptors

what is an examples of a well known class of PAMP receptors?

toll like receptors

when PAMP binds to a toll-like receptor, the receptor becomes activated and in turn activates which TF?

NFkappaB

NFkappaB turns on an array of genes that are involved in…

coordinating the process of inflammation