3 major RNA types, from 3 gene types

-mRNA (messenger RNA): these are the RNA that are not functional by themselves,
but instead carry the instructions
for making specific proteins
-rRNA (ribosomal RNA): these small RNA molecules form complexes with ribosomal p
roteins to make ribosomes, which are the
platforms on which protein synthesis occurs
-tRNA (transfer RNA): these small RNA molecules carry amino scids to the ribosom
es, where only the amino acid gets incorporated
into the growing protein chain
All genes are transribed by RNA polymerases
-Three RNA polymerases in the nuclei of eukaryotes
*RNA polymerase I: transcrives rRNA genes
*RNA polymerase II: transcribes mRNA genes and many others
*RNA polymerase III: transcribes tRNA genes, [some rRNA - do not have to know
for second exam]
-Each recognizes its own type promoter, and no other
Important differences btw bacterial and eukaryotic RNA polymerases:
-Sigma factor of bacterial RNA polymerase contacts RNA directly and binds to pro
moter sequence
-Eukaryotic RNA polymerases have no sigma factors, and only weakly associate wit
h RNA
*Require accessory (regulatory) proteins called transcription factors (TFs)
-TFs begin formation of transcription initionation complex, which allows
RNA polymerase to bind to promoter sequence
-Efficient transcription will not occur in absense of TFs in eukaryotes
Genomic structure of bacteria and eukaryotes
-Most DNA in bacteria does code for proteins, rRNA, or tRNA: coding sequences pr
oceed without inturruption
*Length of gene in DNA generally is equal to the length of RNA
-IN eukaryotes, most DNA, btw and within genes, doesn not code for proteins, rRN
A or tRNA
*Called non-coding DNA
-If it is btw genes, it is called spacer DNA
-If it's within a gene, called introns ("intervening" sequences)
-Coding regions within a gene: called exons ("expressed" sequences)
FOr most eukaryotic genes, the length of the DNA sequence (the gene) is longer t
han the mRNA that participates in
protein synthesis
-Genes are recognized and transcribed into primary initial pre-mRNA transcripts
-Intron removal and exon splicing (part of eukaryotic mRNA processing)
*Introns vary widely in length
*Occurs post-transcriptionally but usually concurrently
*Must be completed prior to mRNA export
*Conserved sequences at both ends mark splice points; rest of intron sequence
s not firectly part of removal
but may play regulatory roles
*Carried out by combinations of small nuclear RNA molecules and proteins call
ed snRNPs (pronounced snurps), which precisely remove
introns and join ends of exons
-Inaccurate splicing leads to defective proteins