Gene Expression

Three Important Points to Remember

• Chromosomes are made of DNA
• Segments of DNA code for a protein
• Protein in turn, relates to a trait (eye color, enzymes, hormones..)

How are Proteins Synthesized from DNA

1. DNA is trancribed into mRNA (messenger RNA)
2. mRNA leaves the nucleus and travels to the cytoplasm
3. Ribosomes in the cytoplasm use the code on mRNA to translate it into amino acids
4. Amino acids form a chain - a protein

Sounds simple, huh? Well, you're not getting off that easy, now we will break down each step of the process.

Transcription

RNA is very similar to DNA with the following exceptions:

• it is single stranded
• it has uracil instead of thymine
• it has the sugar ribose, instead of deoxyribose

The base-pair rule is followed during transcription, except, instead of pairing thymine with adenine, when creating an RNA strand, uracil is used

DNA Strand: T G C A T C A G A

RNA Strand: A C G U A G U C U

View the following animation: Transcription

Transcription begins on the area of DNA that contains the gene. Each gene has three regions:

1. Promotor - turns the gene on or off
2. Coding region - has the information on how to construct the protein
3. Termination sequence - signals the end of the gene

RNA Polymerase is responsible for reading the gene, and building the mRNA strand. It reads only the 3' to 5' strand.

Still confused: Check on these animations:
Transcription 2 - http://www.ncc.gmu.edu/dna/mRNAanim.htm
Transcription 3 - http://www.stolaf.edu/people/giannini/flashanimat/molgenetics/transcription.swf

Translation

View the animation of translation: Translation 1. The mRNA travels to the cytoplasm 2. Amino acids exist freely in the cytoplasm, many of them you acquire from your diet 3. Each 3 bases (codon) translates to a single amino acid. (See codon chart) 4. The ribosome looks for the "start" codon - AUG, this is where the chain begins 5. Transfer (tRNA), has an anticodon at one end and an amino acid at the other, it binds to a complementary codon. 6. Another tRNA reads the next codon, the amino acid attached to it binds with the amino acid on the previous tRNA using a peptide bond. The first tRNA falls off. 7. This process continues until the "stop" codon is reached. 8. The amino acid chain folds into a 3 dimensional structure, now a protein. 9. That protein can be an enzyme, a hormone, or any other structure in the body that gives it traits and functionality. Still confused? Check out other animations: Translation 2 - http://www.cat.cc.md.us/biotutorials/protsyn/translat.html Translation 3 - http://www.stolaf.edu/people/giannini/flashanimat/molgenetics/translation.swf

Image of Transcription ---> Translation

Tying it altogether - the Lac Operon Gene

E. Coli bacteria can synthesize lactase, which is an enzyme that breaks down lactose. Lactase is only synthesized in the presence of lactose. If there is no lactose in the environment, the gene is repressed. Since they live in the intestinal tract of humans, they must live on whatever the host eats. When you drink milk, you are provided your E. Coli bacteria with lactose.

• E. Coli has three genes that code for lactase.
• It also has an operator and a promotor.
• Without lactose, the lac repressor binds to the operator site.
• With lactose, the repressor is removed
• Once repressor is removed, RNA polymerase binds to the promoter
• RNA is transcribed, which is then translated, and becomes the lactase enzyme.

View movie on the lac operon.                         Here is another movie that shows transcription and translation, however it is a very large file (10.8 mb). It is not recommended for view unless you have a very fast connection or plenty of time to wait for it to load: transcription.mov

Test Your Understanding by labeling the parts of image below: See answer.