(7.2) Transcription - and - Gene - Expression - AHL - 2023

7.
2 Transcription and gene expression

Essential idea: Information stored as a code
in DNA is copied onto mRNA.
"The genetic code is frequently referred to as a

blueprint because it contains the instructions a cell
requires in order to sustain itself. We now know that The image shows how DNA is used as
there is more to these instructions than simply the a template to create portable
sequence of letters in the nucleotide code, however. molecules of genetic code, i.e. mRNA,
For example, vast amounts of evidence demonstrate that can leave the nucleus for
that this code is the basis for the production of various translation in other regions of the cell.
molecules, including RNA and protein ... In
transcription, a portion of the double-stranded DNA
template gives rise to a single-stranded RNA
molecule."
By Chris Paine
http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/dna-transcription-426# https://bioknowledgy.weebly.com/
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Simple_transcription_elongation1.svg
Understandings, Applications and Skills
Statement Guidance
7.2.U1 Transcription occurs in a 5’ to 3’ direction. RNA polymerase adds the 5´ end of the free
RNA nucleotide to the 3´ end of the growing
mRNA molecule.
7.2.U2 Nucleosomes help to regulate transcription in
eukaryotes.
7.2.U3 Eukaryotic cells modify mRNA after transcription.
7.2.U4 Splicing of mRNA increases the number of different
proteins an organism can produce.
7.2.U5 Gene expression is regulated by proteins that bind
to specific base sequences in DNA.
7.2.U6 The environment of a cell and of an organism has
an impact on gene expression.
7.2.A1 The promoter as an example of non-coding DNA
with a function.
7.2.S1 Analysis of changes in the DNA methylation
patterns.
Review: 7.1.U6 Some regions of DNA do not code for proteins but have other important functions.
7.2.U5 Gene expression is regulated by proteins that bind to specific base sequences in DNA.
One well known example of the regulation of gene expression by proteins is the
metabolism of lactose in E. Coli bacterium. The diagram below illustrates this example.
The repressor protein is bound

RNA Polymerase
to the operator preventing RNA
Polymerase from transcription
of the genes
DNA Strand
Operator is a region of DNA Genes involved in

that can regulate transcription, the metabolism
typically inhibiting (breakdown) of
transcription, such as this lactose
silencer sequence.
The promoter is a DNA

sequence is located near a The consequence of the inhibition of the lactose
gene. It acts as the binding metabolism is that the concentration of
site for RNA polymerase. undigested lactose now increases in E. Coli …
Edited from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lac_Operon.svg

7.2.U5 Gene expression is regulated by proteins that bind to specific base sequences in DNA.
One well known example of the regulation of gene expression by proteins is the
metabolism of lactose in E. Coli bacterium. The diagram below illustrates this example.
Lactose binds to the repressor protein Lactose molecules build up

inhibiting it: the repressor can no inside the E. Coli
longer bind to the operator.
With the synthesis of lactase the lactose

RNA polymerase binds with the
is broken down, as it’s concentration
promoter, and express the genes (by decreases the inhibition of the repressor
transcribing them), which in turn molecules will decrease ‘silencing’ the
synthesizes lactase gene again.
Review: 2.7.U4 Transcription is the synthesis of mRNA copied from the DNA base sequences by
RNA polymerase.
Transcription is the process by which an RNA sequence is produced from a DNA template:
Three main types of RNA are predominantly synthesised:

• Messenger RNA (mRNA): A transcript copy of a gene used to encode a polypeptide
• Transfer RNA (tRNA): A clover leaf shaped sequence that carries an amino acid
• Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): A primary component of ribosomes
We are focusing on mRNA
http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/Translation-DNA-to-mRNA-to-Protein-393
Review: 7.1.U1 Nucleosomes help to supercoil the DNA.
Eukaryotic DNA supercoiling is organised

by nucleosomes
• Nucleosomes both protect DNA and allow it

to be packaged, this in turn allows DNA to
be supercoiled.
• Nucleosomes are formed by wrapping DNA
around histone proteins
n.b. Prokaryotic DNA is, like eukaryotic DNA, supercoiled, but

differently: Prokaryotic DNA maybe associated with proteins,
but it is not organised by histones and is therefore
sometimes referred as being ‘naked’.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DNA_to_Chromatin_Formation.jpg
7.2.U2 Nucleosomes help to regulate transcription in eukaryotes.
Methylation is the addition of Acetylation is the addition of Acetyl

methyl groups to DNA groups to histones
Edited from: http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v13/n4/images/nn0410-405-F1.jpg

Methylation is the addition of Methylation of DNA inhibits transcription

methyl groups to DNA
Processes that inhibit transcription bind

the DNA more tightly to the histone
making it less accessible to transcription
*Chromatin is a complex of DNA, protein and
RNA. Tightly packed chromatin which cannot be
factors (forming heterochromatin).
transcribed is referred to as heterochromatin.
Acetylation is the addition of Acetyl Processes that promote transcription

groups to histones bind the DNA more loosely to the
histone making it more accessible to
Acetylation promotes transcription transcription factors (forming
euchromatin*).
n.b. Methylation of histones can also

occur, this process can both promote *Chromatin is a complex of DNA, protein and
and inhibit transcription. RNA. Loosely packed chromatin which can be
transcribed is referred to as euchromatin.

Changes in the environment affect the cell metabolism, this in turn can directly or indirectly
affect processes such as Acetylation & Methylation.
Methylation and acetylation mark the DNA to affect
transcription. These these markers are known as For a new organism to
epigenetic tags*. grow it needs unmarked
DNA that can develop into
lots of different specialised
cell types.
Reprogramming scours the genome and erases the epigenetic

tags to return the cells to a genetic "blank slate”.
For a small number of genes, epigenetic tags make it through this

*The branch of genetics concerned with process unchanged hence get passed from parent to offspring.
hertible changes not caused by DNA is
called Epigenetics.
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/epigenetics/inheritance/images/Reprogramming.jpg
7.2.U6 The environment of a cell and of an organism has an impact on gene expression.
The environment of an organism impacts

gene expression. For example human hair Similarly pigments in the fur of Himalayan
and skin colour are impacted by the exposure
rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are
to sunlight and high temperatures.
regulated by temperature.
Gene C controls fur pigmentation in Himalayan rabbits. The

gene is active when environmental temperatures are between
15 and 25°C. At higher temperatures the gene is inactive.
In the warm weather no

In low temperatures Gene C becomes active in the pigment is produced
rabbit's colder extremities (ears, nose, and feet) and the fur is white
and produces a black pigment.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Kr%C3%B3liki_kalifornijskie_666.jpg
http://www.alpinecommunitynetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/himalayan-bunny-5-19-11-1_opt4.jpg

(7.2) Transcription - and - Gene - Expression - AHL - 2023

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

(7.2) Transcription - and - Gene - Expression - AHL - 2023

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

(7.2) Transcription - and - Gene - Expression - AHL - 2023

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

7.

2 Transcription and gene expression

"The genetic code is frequently referred to as a

The repressor protein is bound

Operator is a region of DNA Genes involved in

The promoter is a DNA

Edited from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lac_Operon.svg

Lactose binds to the repressor protein Lactose molecules build up

With the synthesis of lactase the lactose

Three main types of RNA are predominantly synthesised:

We are focusing on mRNA

Eukaryotic DNA supercoiling is organised

• Nucleosomes both protect DNA and allow it

n.b. Prokaryotic DNA is, like eukaryotic DNA, supercoiled, but

Methylation is the addition of Acetylation is the addition of Acetyl

Edited from: http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v13/n4/images/nn0410-405-F1.jpg

Methylation is the addition of Methylation of DNA inhibits transcription

Processes that inhibit transcription bind

Acetylation is the addition of Acetyl Processes that promote transcription

n.b. Methylation of histones can also

Edited from: http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v13/n4/images/nn0410-405-F1.jpg

Reprogramming scours the genome and erases the epigenetic

For a small number of genes, epigenetic tags make it through this

The environment of an organism impacts

Gene C controls fur pigmentation in Himalayan rabbits. The

In the warm weather no

You might also like