Chapter 5: Gene Expression - Transcription

When a protein is needed by a cell, the genetic code for that protein
must be read from the DNA and processed.
A two step process:
1.

Transcription = synthesis of a single-stranded RNA molecule

using the DNA template (1 strand of DNA is transcribed).

2.

Translation = conversion of a messenger RNA sequence into the

amino acid sequence of a polypeptide (i.e., protein synthesis)

Both processes occur throughout the cell cycle. Transcription

occurs in the nucleus, whereas translation occurs in the
cytoplasm.

Five different types of RNA, each encoded by different genes:

1. mRNA

Messenger RNA, encodes the amino acid sequence of

a polypeptide.

2. tRNA

Transfer RNA, transports amino acids to ribosomes

during translation.

3. rRNA

Ribosomal RNA, forms complexes called ribosomes

with protein, the structure on which mRNA is
translated.

4. snRNA

Small nuclear RNA, forms complexes with proteins

used in eukaryotic RNA processing (e.g., exon
splicing and intron removal).

5. miRNA/siRNA

Micro RNA/small interfering RNA, short ~22 nt RNA

sequences that bind to 3 UTR target mRNAs and
result in gene silencing.

Transcription: How is an RNA strand synthesized?

1.

Regulated by gene regulatory elements within each gene.

2.

DNA unwinds next to a gene.

3.

RNA is transcribed 5 to 3 from the template (3 to 5).

4.

Similar to DNA synthesis, except:

NTPs instead of dNTPs (no deoxy-)

No primer

No proofreading

Adds Uracil (U) instead of thymine (T)

RNA polymerase

Fig. 5.2

Animation RNA biosynthesis

Three Steps to Transcription:

1.

Initiation

2.

Elongation

3.

Termination

Occur in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Elongation is conserved in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Initiation and termination proceed differently.

Step 1-Initiation, E. coli model:

Fig. 5.3

Each gene has three regions:

1.

5 Promoter, attracts RNA polymerase

-10 bp 5-TATAAT-3
-35 bp 5-TTGACA-3

2.

Transcribed sequence (transcript) or RNA coding sequence

3.

3 Terminator, signals the stop point

Step 1-Initiation, E. coli model:

1.

2.

RNA polymerase combines with sigma factor (a polypeptide) to

create RNA polymerase holoenzyme

Recognizes promoters and initiates transcription.

Sigma factor required for efficient binding and transcription.

Different sigma factors recognize different promoter

sequences.

RNA polymerase holoenzyme binds promoters and untwists DNA

Binds loosely to the -35 promoter (DNA is d.s.)

Binds tightly to the -10 promoter and untwists

Different types and levels of sigma factors influence the level and
dynamics of gene expression (how much and efficiency).

Fig. 5.4

Step 2-Elongation, E. coli model:

1.

After 8-9 bp of RNA synthesis occurs, sigma factor is released and

recycled for other reactions.

2.

RNA polymerase completes the transcription at 30-50 bp/second.

3.

DNA untwists rapidly, and re-anneals behind the enzyme.

4.

Part of the new RNA strand is hybrid DNA-RNA, but most RNA is
displaced as the helix reforms.

Fig. 5.4

Step 3-Termination, E. coli model:

Two types of terminator sequences occur in prokaryotes:
1.

Type I (-independent)
Palindromic, inverse repeat forms a hairpin loop and is believed to
physically destabilize the DNA-RNA hybrid.
Fig. 5.5

2.

Type II (-dependent)
Involves factor proteins that break the hydrogen bonds between
the template DNA and RNA.

Prokaryotes possess only one type of RNA polymerase

transcribes mRNAs, tRNAs, and rRNAs

Transcription is more complicated in eukaryotes

Eukaryotes possess three RNA polymerases:
1.

RNA polymerase I, transcribes three major rRNAs 12S, 18S, 5.8S

2.

RNA polymerase II, transcribes mRNAs and some snRNAs

3.

RNA polymerase III, transcribes tRNAs, 5S rRNA, and snRNAs

*S values of rRNAs refer to molecular size, as determined by sucrose

gradient centrifugation. RNAs with larger S values are
larger/have a greater density.

http://www.mun.ca/biology/scarr/Gr10-23.html

Transcription of protein-coding genes by RNA polymerase II in

eukaryotes

RNA polymerase II transcribes a precursor-mRNA

We can divide eukaryotes promoter into two regions:

1.

The core promoters elements. The best characterized are

A short sequence called Inr (Initiator)

TATA Box = TATAAAA, located at about position -30

*AT-rich DNA is easier to denature than GC-rich DNA

2.

Promoter proximal elements (located upstream, ~-50 to

-200 bp)
Cat Box = CAAT and GC Box GGGCGG

Different combinations occur near different genes.

Transcription regulatory proteins (activators) and enhancers also

are required.

Transcription regulatory proteins = Activators

High-level transcription is induced by binding of activator

factors to DNA sequences called enhancers.

Enhancers are usually located upstream of the gene they

control, they modulate transcription from a distance.
Can be several kb from the gene
Silencer elements and repressor factors also exist

Transcription of protein-coding genes by RNA polymerase II

General Transcription factors (GTFs) also are required by RNA

polymerases (function is similar to sigma factor).

GTFs are proteins, assembled on the core promoter

Each GTF works with only one kind of RNA polymerase (required
by all 3 RNA polymerases).

Numbered (i.e., named) to match their RNA polymerase.

TFIID, TFIIB, TFIIF, TFIIE, TFIIH

Binding of GTFs and RNA polymerase occurs in a set order in

protein coding genes.

Complete complex (RNA polymerase + GTFs) is called a preinitiation complex (PIC).

Order of binding is: IID + IIA + IIB + RNA poly. II + IIF +IIE +IIH

Fig. 5.7.

Production of the mRNA molecule (Fig. 5.8)

Three main parts:

1.

5 untranslated region (5 UTR) or leader sequence

2.

Coding sequence, specifies amino acids to be translated

3.

3 untranslated region ( 3 UTR) or trailer sequence

may contain information that signals the stability of the
particular mRNA

mRNA differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes:

Prokaryotes
1.

mRNA transcript is mature, and used directly for translation

without modification.

2.

Since prokaryotes lack a nucleus, mRNA also is translated on

ribosomes before it is transcribed completely (i.e., transcription
and translation are coupled).

3.

Prokaryote mRNAs are polycistronic, they contain amino acid

coding information for more than one gene.

Eukaryotes
1.

mRNA transcript is not mature (pre-mRNA); must be processed.

2.

Transcription and translation are not coupled (mRNA must first be

exported to the cytoplasm before translation occurs).

3.

Eukaryote mRNAs are monocistronic, they contain amino acid

sequences for just one gene.

Fig. 5.9. Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Production of mature mRNA in eukaryotes:

1.

2.

5 cap

After 20-30 nucleotides have been synthesized, the 5-end of

the mRNA is capped 5 to 5 with a guanine nucleotide (See
Fig. 5.10).

Results in the addition of two methyl (CH3) groups.

Essential for the ribosome to bind to the 5 end of the mRNA.

Poly (A) tail

50-250 adenine nucleotides are added to 3 end of mRNA.

Complex enzymatic reaction.

Stabilizes the mRNA, and plays an important role in

transcription termination.

Introns (non-coding sequences between exons) are removed and

exons (amino acid coding sequences) are spliced.

Animation RNA processing

Introns and exons:

Eukaryote pre-mRNAs often have intervening introns that must be

removed during RNA processing (as do some viruses).
intron = intragenic region made of non-coding DNA sequences
between exons in a gene.
exon = expressed DNA sequences in a gene, code for amino acids.
Fig. 5.12

1993: Richard Roberts (New England Biolabs) & Phillip Sharp (MIT)

mRNA splicing of exons and removal of introns:

1.

Introns typically begin with a 5-GU and end with AG-3.

2.

Cleavage occurs first at the 5 end of intron 1 (between 2 exons).

3.

The now free G joins with an A at a specific branch point sequence

in the middle of the intron, using a 2 to 5 phosphodiester bond.

Intron forms a lariat-shaped structure.

4.

Lariat is excised, and the exons are joined to form a spliced mRNA.

5.

Splicing is mediated by splicosomes, complexes of small nuclear

RNAs (snRNAs) and proteins, that cleave the intron at the 3 end
and join the exons.

6.

Introns are degraded by the cell.

Fig. 5.12

Fig. 5.13

Animation Intron Removal

Significance of Introns:

Introns are not junk DNA

They have important regulatory functions.

One of their primary attributes is that they enable the differential

splicing of different exons, result in different protein variants with
different functional properties.

Multiple proteins from a single gene.

These patterns of gene regulation are as important as the gene

sequences themselves.

They can also regulate the rate of transcription and function as a

point for recombination.

They can also be lost and gained, making them a type of mobile
genetic element.

Post-transcriptional modification, mRNA editing:

1.

Adds or deletes nucleotides from a pre-RNA, or chemically alters the

bases, so the mRNA bases do not match the DNA sequence.

2.

Can results in the substitution, addition, or deletion of amino acids

(relative to the DNA template).

3.

Generally cell or tissue specific.

4.

Examples occur in protozoa, slime molds, plant organelles, and

mammals.

Genes that do not code proteins also are transcribed:

1.

rRNA, ribosomal RNA

2.

tRNA, transfer RNA

3.

Catalyze protein synthesis by facilitating the binding of tRNA

(and their amino acids) to mRNA.

Transport amino acids to mRNA for translation.

snRNA, small nuclear RNA

Combine with proteins to form complexes used in RNA

processing (splicosomes used for intron removal).

1. Synthesis of ribosomal RNA and ribosomes:

1.

Cells contain thousands of ribosomes.

2.

Consist of two subunits (large and small) in prokaryotes and

eukaryotes, in combination with ribosomal proteins.

3.

E. coli 70S model:

4.

50S subunit = 23S (2,904 nt) + 5S (120 nt) + 34 proteins

30S subunit = 16S (1,542 nt) + 20 proteins

Mammalian 80S model:

60S subunit = 28S (4,700 nt) +5.8S (156 nt) + 5S (120 nt) +
50 proteins

40S subunit = 18S (1,900 nt) + 35 proteins

5.

DNA regions that code for rRNA are called ribosomal DNA (rDNA).

6.

Eukaryotes have many copies of rRNA genes tandemly repeated.

Fig. 6.13, Mammalian example of 80S rRNA

Fig. 6.12

1. Synthesis of ribosomal RNA and ribosomes (continued):

7.

Transcription occurs by the same mechanism as protein-coding

genes, but generally using RNA polymerase I.

8.

rRNA synthesis requires its own array of specific transcription

factors (TFs)

9.

Coding sequences for RNA subunits within rDNA genes contain the
following:
internal transcribed spacer
external transcribed spacer
nontranscribed spacer

ITS
ETS
NTS

10. ITS units (analogous to introns) separate the RNA subunits

through the pre-rRNA stage, whereupon ITS & ETS are cleaved
out and rRNAs are assembled.
11. Subunits of mature ribosomes are bonded together by H-bonds.
12. Finally, transported to the cytoplasm to initiate protein synthesis.

Fig. 5.18
2nd
edition

2. Synthesis of tRNA:
1.

tRNA genes also occur in repeated copies throughout the genome,

and may contain introns.

2.

Each tRNA (75-90 nt in length) has a different sequence that

binds a different amino acid.

3.

Many tRNAs undergo extensive post-transcription modification,

especially those in the mitochondria and chloroplast.

4.

tRNAs form clover-leaf structures, with complementary basepairing between regions to form four stems and loops.

5.

Loop #2 contains the anti-codon, which recognizes

mRNA codons during translation (more about that when we
discuss translation).

6.

Same general mechanism using RNA polymerase III, promoters,

unique TFs, plus post-transcriptional modification from pre-tRNA.

Figure 6.9

3. Synthesis of snRNA (small nuclear RNA):

Form complexes with proteins used in eukaryotic RNA processing,

such as splicing of mRNA after introns are removed.

Transcribed using RNA polymerase II or III.

Associated with small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs).

Also function in regulation of transcription factors and

maintenance of telomeres.

U7

H/ACA