Central Dogma:

DNA Transcription
Review:

1. What are the major steps of DNA

replication and Explain each.
Review:

2. Identify and explain the proteins

involved.
Proteins/Enzymes involved in DNA Replication:
Protein Function
Unwinds the DNA at the origin of replication creating
Helicase replication forks
Binds to and stabilizes single stranded DNA until it can
Single-strand binding protein (SSB) be used as a template
Synthesizes an RNA at 5’ end of leading strand and each
Primase Okazaki fragment of lagging strand

Synthesizes new DNA strand by adding nucleotides to

DNA polymerase III the 3’ end of a pre-existing DNA strand

Removes RNA nucleotides of primer from 5’ end and

DNA polymerase I replaces them with DNA nucleotides
Joins 3’ end of DNA that replaces primer to rest of
DNA ligase leading strand and joins Okazaki fragments of lagging
strand
Review:

3. What are the different types of RNA and

their function?
Types of RNA
• mRNA - Messenger RNA: Encodes amino acid
sequence of a polypeptide.
• tRNA - Transfer RNA: Brings amino acids to ribosomes
during translation.
• rRNA - Ribosomal RNA: With ribosomal proteins,
makes up the ribosomes, the organelles that translate
the mRNA.
Protein Synthesis

• One of the most fundamental biological

processes by which individual cells
build their specific proteins necessary
for gene expression
 The Genetic Code

• For each gene, one DNA strand

is the template strand (3’>5’)

• mRNA triplets (codons) code for

amino acids in a polypeptide
chain
DNA Transcription
DNA > mRNA
RNA Polymerase
• separates DNA strands and transcribes mRNA
• mRNA elongates in 5’>3’ direction
• Uracil (U) replaces Thymine (T) when pairing to Adenine (A)
• Attaches to promoter (start of gene) and stops at terminator
(end of gene)
Flow of Genetic Information in Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes
1. Initiation
 Eukaryotes
• TATA box – DNA sequence
(TATAAAA) upstream from
promoter

• Transcription factors must

recognize TATA box before RNA
polymerase can bind to DNA
promoter
1. Initiation
1. Initiation

 Bacteria – RNA polymerase binds directly to promoter

2. Elongation

•RNA polymerase
adds RNA nucleotides
to the 3’ end of the
growing chain (A-U,
G-C)
2. Elongation
• As RNA polymerase
moves, it untwists DNA,
then rewinds it after
mRNA is made
3. Termination
Prokaryotes:
• RNA polymerase transcribes a terminator sequence in DNA, then mRNA and
polymerase detach.
• Prokaryotes = mRNA ready for use
Eukaryotes:
• It is now called pre-mRNA for eukaryotes.
• The RNA polymerase II transcribes a sequence on the DNA called
polyadenylation signal sequence (AAUAAA). Proteins in the nucleus attached
themselves from this sequence.
• About 10-35 downstream from the AAUAAA, the proteins attached on it, cut the
RNA transcript free from the polymerase, releasing the pre-mRNA.
Initiation-> Elongation-> Termination
For Prokaryotes (e.g. bacterial cell)
4. RNA Processing for Eukaryotic Cells

1. Additions to pre-mRNA
 5’ cap (modified Guanine) and 3’ poly-A tail are added.
 It helps in exporting mRNA from nucleus, protect from enzyme degradation
and attach to ribosomes
4. RNA Processing for Eukaryotic Cells continued…
2. RNA splicing
 Pre-mRNA has introns (noncoding sequences) and exons (codes for
amino acids)
 Splicing occurs when introns are cut out and exons are joined
together
 2. RNA splicing continued…
• Spliceosomes
catalyze the process
of removing introns
and joining exons