Genetics of Microorganisms - Gene Regulation In Eukaryotes

Flashcards covering the fundamentals of eukaryotic gene regulation, including transcription factors, chromatin remodeling, histone modifications, and DNA methylation based on the Module 7 lecture.

The level of gene expression can vary under different conditions in a process called __________.

gene regulation

In eukaryotes, __________ transcription factors are required for the binding of RNA polymerase to the core promoter and are necessary for basal transcription.

general

Transcription factor proteins contain functional regions called __________, which facilitate functions like DNA-binding or dimerization.

domains

The __________ is a specific structural feature found in transcription factors that is also observed in many other proteins, such as the leucine finger.

motif

An enhancer is a DNA region, usually __________ bp in length, that contains one or more regulatory elements.

50-1000

A regulatory protein that increases the rate of transcription is known as a(n) __________.

activator

Regulation that results in a 10- to 1,000-fold increase in the rate of transcription is called __________.

up-regulation

Many regulatory elements within enhancers are __________ independent, meaning they can function in the forward or reverse orientation.

orientation

The three common ways the function of regulatory transcription factors can be modulated are binding of small effector molecules, protein-protein interactions, and __________.

covalent modification

Chromatin is in the __________ conformation when it is accessible to transcription factors, allowing transcription to take place.

open

All ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes contain a catalytic ATPase subunit known as __________.

DNA translocase

The four families of chromatin remodelers found in eukaryotes are SWI/SNF, ISWI, INO80, and __________.

Mi-2

Chromatin remodeling complexes can change structure via change in nucleosome position, replacement with histone variants, or __________.

eviction of histone octamers

The __________ hypothesis states that the patterns of modifications on histone amino terminal tails specify alterations to be made to chromatin structure.

histone code

Attachment of a(n) __________ group by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) disrupts the attraction between the histone protein and the DNA backbone.

$$—COCH_3$$

In mammals, approximately __________ of the DNA is methylated.

2 to 7%

In vertebrates, many genes contain __________ near their promoters which are 1,000 to 2,000 nucleotides long and contain high numbers of CpG sites.

CpG islands

Methylation of cytosine is carried out by the enzyme __________.

DNA methyltransferase

DNA that contains unmethylated cytosines on a newly made daughter strand while the template strand is methylated is described as __________.

hemimethylated

In the plant __________, DNA methylation patterns in the Lcyc gene affecting floral symmetry can be inherited for several generations.

Linaria vulgaris

The process of __________ methylation maintains the pattern of methylation from the parent cell to the daughter cell during DNA replication.

maintenance