From DNA to protein (Part I)

Genetic information directs the synthesis of proteins

Central Dogma
A cell can express different genes at different rates
The chemical structure of RNA differs slightly from DNA
RNA molecules can fold into 3D structures
Transcription produces RNA that is complementary to one strand of DNA
DNA is transcribed into RNA by RNA polymerase
Some genes are transcribed using one DNA strand as a template and others are transcribed from the
other template
Initiation of eukaryotic gene transcription is a complex process
Eukaryotic RNA polymerase requires general transcription factors

Transcription
initiation complex
Eukaryotic mRNAs are processed in the nucleus
Capping and polyadenylation
Capping and polyadenylation
RNA splicing
RNA splicing
Mature eukaryotic mRNAs are exported from the nucleus
Mature eukaryotic mRNAs are exported from the nucleus
Learning objectives
•Recall the central dogma and explain how its steps relate to gene expression depending on whether the final product of the
gene is an RNA or a protein.
•Explain how cells can produce large quantities of one protein and tiny quantities of another.
•Compare RNA and DNA in terms of chemical composition, base-pairing properties, and overall structure.
•Compare the reactions catalyzed by RNA and DNA polymerases in terms of templates, substrates, directionality, and sources of
energy to drive the reactions.
•Explain why RNA and DNA polymerases differ in their fidelity.
•List the most common types of RNA produced by transcription and identify those that represent the final product of gene
expression.
•Explain how a bacterial RNA polymerase recognizes where transcription will begin, which DNA strand to transcribe, and when to
stop.
•Contrast transcription initiation in bacteria and eukaryotes.
•Explain how the eukaryotic general transcription factors assemble on a promoter, form a transcription initiation complex, and
release RNA polymerase to begin transcription.
•Contrast the structures of bacterial and eukaryotic mRNAs and compare how these transcripts are handled as they are being
synthesized.
•Describe how RNA splicing is carried out largely by RNA molecules.
•State the potential benefits of the presence of introns in eukaryotic genes.
•7.1.o Explain how cells control the quality of the RNAs that are exported from the nucleus.
•7.1.p Describe how cells control the lifetime of an mRNA molecule.