- DNA specify all kinds of proteins in the cell

- DNA is NOT the direct template for the protein synthesis.

There must be intermediate specified by the DNA

*The flow of the genetic information

DNA transcription RNA translation protein.

• Structure of RNA

1. Large, unbranched macromolecule, but smaller than DNA

2. Ribose sugar instead deoxy ribose

3. Uracil instead Thymine.

4. Single stranded in most cases. %G ≠ %C

- Complementary to DNA template.

- Double helical regions “hairpin loop”

DNA TranscriptionDNA Transcription

*Types of RNAA. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) 80%

- Component of ribosomes / protein synthesis- Three different sizes of rRNA:

23 S, 16 S, 5 S Prokaryotic cell , eukaryotic mitochondria- Four different sizes of rRNA:

28 S, 18 S, 5.8 S, 5 S Eukaryotic cell.B. t-RNA

- Smallest RNA (74 – 95 nucleotide)- 15% of total RNA, contains unusual bases.- Act as “adaptor” carries the specific a.a to the site of protein

synthesis.C. m-RNA

- 5%- Carries the genetic information from DNA to the cytosol

where it used as a template for protein synthesis. D. snRNA

- Plays role in RNA modification after the transcription in eukaryotic cell

Ribonucleases

Types of RNATypes of RNA

• t-RNA, m-RNA, rRNA, snRNA are synthesized by RNA polymerases.

• RNA synthesis

1. Needs DNA template: RNA polymerase takes instruction from DNA template.

2. Activated precursors ATP, GTP, UTP, CTP.

3. Divalent metallic ion mg+2

RNAn + ribonucleoside triphosphate RNAn+1 + PPi

4. 5’ 3’ synthesis

- 3’ – OH makes nucleophilic attack to α-phosphate.

- The reaction is driven by hydrolysis of PPi

- No need for primer.

- No exo- or endo- nuclease activity.

• t-RNA, m-RNA, rRNA, snRNA are synthesized by RNA polymerases.

• RNA synthesis

1. Needs DNA template: RNA polymerase takes instruction from DNA template.

2. Activated precursors ATP, GTP, UTP, CTP.

3. Divelent metalic ion mg+2

RNAn + ribonucleoside triphosphate RNAn+1 + PPi

4. 5’ 3’ synthesis

- 3’ OH makes nucleophilic attack to α-phosphate.

- The reaction is driven by hydrolysis of PPi

- No need for primer.

- No exo- or endo- nuclease activity.

* Transcription in prokaryotes

- One type of RNA polymerase.

- DNA gene contains promotor sites that specifically bind RNA polymerase and determine where the transcription begins.

Strong promotor Frequent transcription

Mutation in the promotor Impair transcription

RNA polymerase is multisubunit enzyme.

- Core enzyme 2αββ’ units5’ 3’ synthesis of RNA. but, lacks the specificty, cannot recognize the promotor region on the DNA template.

- Holo enzyme = Core enzyme + σ unit

σ Factor enables the polymerase to recognize the promotor region. (it will be released when transcription starts)

DNA TranscriptionDNA Transcription

Coding (sense) strand Transcription unit

Termination

Up stream

Down strea

m

5’

3’

- 35 - 10

+1Template strand (anti

sense)

3’

5’

-10: 5’ TATAAT 3’ (pribnow box)

-35: 5’ TTGACA 3’

+1: start site: the first nucleotide of the DNA sequence to be transcripted.

eg.

Coding template: 5’ GCG ATA TAA TAG 3’

Template strand: 3’ CGC TAT ATT ATC 5’

mRNA : 5’ GCG AUA UAA UAG 3’

Promotor regions in bacterial genePromotor regions in bacterial gene

• RNA synthesis

1.1. InitiationInitiation RNA polymerase bind to promoter site unwinds the double

helical DNA (about two turns before starting the synthesis)

DNA TranscriptionDNA Transcription

DNA TranscriptionDNA Transcription

Transcription InitiationTranscription Initiation

2.2. Elongation Elongation

• RNA polymerase catalyzes the formation of phospho diester bond. And it moves unidirectional until the termination signals.

- NO need for primer

- RNA start with purin (A or G)

- σ unit of the holoenzyme is released after the initiation.

3.3. TerminationTermination

• Elongation continues until a termination process occurs:

A. P-Independent termination

The transcripted DNA contains stop signals which are palindromic GC rich region followed by AT rich region.

• DNA Palindrome

5’ CGACTGCAGTCG 3’

3’ GCTGACGTCAGC 5’

- The sequence on one strand reading 5’ – 3’ is the same as the sequence on the complementary strand reading in the same direction.

GC palindromic region stabilizes a secondary structure followed by a string of poly U

Stable hair pin slow down the transcription process

Poly U bonding to the DNA template is weak

Palindrome dependent TerminationPalindrome dependent Termination

Palindrome dependent TerminationPalindrome dependent Termination

Hexamer protein

Break the RNA-DNA Hybrid by pulling the RNA away

RHO (P-factor) RHO (P-factor) protein protein terminationtermination

DNA TranscriptionDNA Transcription

• • Transcription of Eukaryotic genes:Transcription of Eukaryotic genes:

- Three types of RNA polymerase:

1. RNA polymerase I: large ribosomal RNA (18S, 5.8S, 28S and it’s location in the nucleolus)

2. RNA polymerase II: mRNA precursors and it takes place in nucleoplasm, and (SnRNA)

3. RNA polymerase III: the 5S RNA (nucleoplasm)

• Mitochondrial RNA polymerase: like as in prokaryotes

• RNA polymerase in eukaryotes also catalyzes the:

- The nucleophilic addition of 3’-OH of the growing RNA chain to the α-phosphat

- The 5’ – 3’ addition according to the instruction of anti parallel DNA template

- NO need for primer

- Lock the nuclease activity

• RNA polymerase recognize promoter regions in the gene

Transcription of Eukaryotic cellTranscription of Eukaryotic cell

(CAAT) box

(TATA) box Transcription unit

Termination Start siteCoding

strand Template strand

5’

3’

3’

5’

+1

-70 -25

Promotor regions in Eukaryotic genePromotor regions in Eukaryotic gene

• • Post transcriptional modificationPost transcriptional modification

The 1º - transcript is the linear copy of the transcriptional unit.

• rRNAs are produced from longer precursor. In prokaryotes and eukaryotes cells.

- 5S is synthesized by RNA polymerase III

- m-RNA in prokaryotes is identical to the 1º - transcript.

• m-RNA of eukaryotic cells.

1º - transcript (hnRNA) modification m-RNA

1. Capping (translation & stabilizing)

2. Poly A- tail: by polytransferase

3. Removal of Introns

Introns: the nucleotide sequences that don’t code for proteins.

Exons: the nucleotide sequences that code for proteins.

Tail (stabilize &

exit)

The cap is Added by Guanylyl transferase

Post transcriptional modification: capping Post transcriptional modification: capping and Tailing and Tailing

Exon 1 Intron Exon 2RNA polymerase II

Splicing

• The introns are removed and the remaining exons spliced together to form the mature RNA

• SnRNA + proteins small nuclear ribonucleo-protein particles

-SnRNP- (spliceosomes)

Splicing the exon segments

The 1º- transcript unmature m-RNA

Removal of IntronsRemoval of Introns

Post transcriptional modificationPost transcriptional modification

• RNA inhibitors

- Some antibiotics prevent cell growth by inhibiting RNA synthesis.

Rifampin

Inhibits the initiation of transcription by binding to β-subunit of prokaryotic RNA polymerase.

Actinomycin D

It binds to the DNA template and interferes with movement of RNA polymerase along the DNA (used as anticancer agent)

• Toxins produced by some fungi

e.g. α-Amantin form a complex with RNA polymerase II so inhibits RNA synthesis inhibits protein synthesis.

The EndThe End