Genes and the Genetic Code

An Introduction to Gene Expression

With Georgina Cornwall

Jeanne Waldo Reminajes, wreminajes@yahoo.com

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 Learning Goals
Genes are Expressed as Proteins Through the Process of Transcription and Translation

• Distinguish between transcription and

translation.

• Discuss the one gene-one polypeptide

hypothesis.

• List the roles of RNA in gene expression.

• Describe what the genetic code is.

Jeanne Waldo Reminajes, wreminajes@yahoo.com

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 The Central Dogma of Gene Expression
Information Flow

Information flows from:

D N A
__ __ __ R __
__ N A__ P R O T E I N
__ __ __ __ __ __ __

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 Translation form RNA to Protein
The Central Dogma of Gene Expression

Reverse transcriptase violates the central dogma.

DNA template
strand

Translation
Transcription

Protein
mRNA

Jeanne Waldo Reminajes, wreminajes@yahoo.com

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 One Gene-One Polypeptide Hypothesis
Gene Code

Each gene codes for only one polypeptide

although it may be modified to affect multiple outcomes.

Jeanne Waldo Reminajes, wreminajes@yahoo.com

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 One Gene-One Polypeptide Hypothesis
Multiple Outcomes
Although it may be modified to In prokaryotes, sometimes
Chromosome
affect multiple outcomes. genes are clustered.

Encoded
enzyme

Enzyme E Enzyme F Enzyme G Enzyme H

Substrate in
biochemical
pathway

Glutamate Ornithine Citruline Arginosuccinate Arginine

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 The Process of Transcription
A mRNA Copy of DNA
The process of transcription
makes an mRNA copy of DNA.

DNA template
strand

Translation
Transcription

Protein
mRNA

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 The Process of Transcription
A RNA Copy of DNA

Coding
strand
Template
strand

DNA

Rewinding Unwinding
Template
strand
mRNA
RNA polymerase

RNA-DNA hybrid helix

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 The Process of Transcription
A RNA Copy of DNA

DNA template
strand

Translation
Transcription

Protein
mRNA

Jeanne Waldo Reminajes, wreminajes@yahoo.com

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 The Process of Translation
Overview
Uses the RNA plans to
synthesize polypeptides

Amino acids

tRNA with
Polypeptide
amino acid
attached
Ribosome
tRNA
Anticodon
mRNA

Jeanne Waldo Reminajes, wreminajes@yahoo.com

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 Gene Expression
Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes
Eukaryotes have a membrane-bound nucleus and process RNA
before it exits.

Bacterial cell Eukaryotic cell

Eukaryotes have a membrane-bound nucleus and process RNA before it exits.

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 Gene Expression
Bacteria Cell

DNA

Transcription
mRNA
Cytoplasm

Translation Ribosome

Polypeptide

Jeanne Waldo Reminajes, wreminajes@yahoo.com

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 Gene Expression
Eukaryotic cell

Nuclear envelope
DNA
Transcription
Pre-mRNA

RNA processing mRNA

Nucleus

Cytoplasm
Translation Ribosome

Polypeptide

Jeanne Waldo Reminajes, wreminajes@yahoo.com

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 Gene Expression
Different Roles in Protein Synthesis

Gene expression involves multiple types of RNA.

Each have different roles in protein synthesis.

mRNA rRNA tRNA snRNA srpRNA small-RNAs

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 Is the Genetic Material Really DNA?
Genetic Code

What do we mean by genetic code?

A
T P
G
C
P T
A
P

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 Is the Genetic Material Really DNA?
Nitrogenous Bases

20 amino acids 4 nitrogenous bases

Proteins just seem to have so much more complexity.

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 Groups of Three
Relationship Between Codons and Amino Acids

4 bases

The genetic code is read in

groups of three.
Each codon corresponds
to an amino acid.
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 Groups of Three
Relationship Between Codons and Amino Acids

4 bases 2
= 16 codons
for 20 amino acids

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 Groups of Three
Relationship Between Codons and Amino Acids

4 bases 3
= 64 codons
is more than enough

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 Groups of Three
Relationship Between Codons and Amino Acids

60 codons specify amino acids

Jeanne Waldo Reminajes, wreminajes@yahoo.com

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 The Genetic Code
Specific but Degenerate

Each codon specifies only one amino acid, but some

amino acids are specified by more than one codon.

Jeanne Waldo Reminajes, wreminajes@yahoo.com

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 The Universal Genetic Code
Genetic Tree

The genetic code is universal (well almost)

Recall mitochondria have their own DNA.
They have made a couple of minor changes.

Jeanne Waldo Reminajes, wreminajes@yahoo.com

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 Learning Outcomes
An introduction to gene expression and the genetic code

 Distinguish between transcription and

translation.

 Discuss the one gene-one polypeptide

hypothesis.

 List the roles of RNA in gene expression.

 Describe what the genetic code is.

Jeanne Waldo Reminajes, wreminajes@yahoo.com

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© www.lecturio.com | This document is protected by copyright.
 This document is a property of: Jeanne Waldo Reminajes

Note: This document is copyright protected. It may not be copied, reproduced, used, or
distributed in any way without the written authorization of Lecturio GmbH.

Jeanne Waldo Reminajes, wreminajes@yahoo.com

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