1. 1. Important Features a. DNA contains genetic template" for proteins.
b. DNA is found in the nucleus
c. Protein synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm - ribosome.
d. "Genetic information" must be transferred to the cytoplasm where proteins are synthesized.

2. 2. Processes of Protein Synthesis
a. Transcription - genetic template for a protein is copied and carried out to the cytoplasm
b. Translation - template serves as a series of codes for the amino acid sequence of the protein

3. Cells Use RNA to Make Protein
The RNA Players – mRNA, rRNA, tRNA
During polypeptide synthesis, ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is the site of polypeptide assembly.
Transfer RNA (tRNA) transports and positions amino acids.
Messenger RNA (mRNA) directs which amino acids are assembled into polypeptides.
Central Dogma
DNA  RNA Protein

4. Central Dogma of Gene Expression

5. Gene Expression Transcription – in the nucleus (if you have one)
DNA sequence is transcribed into RNA sequence
initiated when RNA polymerase binds to promoter binding site
moves along DNA strand and adds corresponding complementary RNA nucleotide
disengages at stop signal

6. 3. Steps of Transcription
a. DNA unwinds
b. One side of DNA "codes for a protein"
c. Genetic code of DNA is a triplet code of 3 nucleotides or bases
d. Each triplet is specific for the coding of a single amino acid
e. Sequence of triplet codes on DNA will specify the amino acid sequence on the protein
f. Major step is the synthesis of the coded "messenger" molecule – mRNA
g. mRNA is "transcribed" from DNA by complementary base pairing (mRNA has no thymine, which is replaced by uracil)
h. mRNA passes out to cytoplasm to the ribosome

7. Transcription RNA polymerase
only one of two DNA strands (template) is transcribed
non-transcribed strand is termed coding strand - same as RNA (except T’s are U’s)
In both bacteria and eukaryotes, the polymerase adds ribonucleotides to the growing 3’ end of an RNA chain.
synthesis proceeds in 5’3’ direction

8. Transcription Bubble

9. Transcription Promoter Initiation
Transcription starts at RNA polymerase binding sites called promoters on DNA template strand.
Initiation
Other eukaryotic factors bind, assembling a transcription complex.
RNA polymerase begins to unwind DNA helix.

10. Transcription Elongation Termination
Transcription bubble moves down DNA at constant rate leaving growing RNA strands protruding from the bubble.
Termination
Stop sequences at the end of the gene cause phosphodiester bond formation to cease, transcription bubble to dissociate, and RNA polymerase to release DNA.

11. Transcription
Eukaryotic transcription differs from prokaryotic transcription:
three RNA polymerase enzymes
initiation complex forms at promoter
RNAs are modified after transcription

12. Spliced Gene Transcripts
DNA sequence specifying a protein is broken into segments (exons) scattered among longer noncoding segments (introns).
Initially, primary RNA transcript is produced for the entire gene.
Small nuclear ribonuclearproteins (snRNPs) associate with proteins to form spliceosomes.
Excise introns and splice exons to form mature mRNA.

13. RNA Splicing
During RNA processing, intron sequences are cut out of primary transcript before it is used in polypeptide synthesis.
remaining exon sequences are spliced together to form final processed mRNA

14. Eukaryotic Genes are Fragmented

15. Now TRANSLATION!!!!

16. 4. Translation overview a. mRNA attaches to the ribosome
b. tRNA's attach to free amino acids in the cytoplasmic "pool" of amino acids
c. tRNA carries its specific amino acid to the ribosome

17. Translation overview (cont.)
d. tRNA "delivers" its amino acid based on complementary pairing of a triplet code (anticodon) with the triplet code (codon) of the mRNA.
e. Enzyme "hooks" the amino acid to the last one in the chain forming a peptide bond.
f. Protein chain continues to grow as each tRNA brings in its amino acid and adds it to the chain. - This is translation!!

18. Gene Expression Translation – in the cytoplasm at ribosome
nucleotide sequence of mRNA transcript is translated into amino acid sequence in the polypeptide
rRNA recognizes and binds to start sequence
moves three nucleotides at a time
disengages at stop signal
Gene expression - collective of transcription and translation

19. Translation
Begins when initial portion of mRNA molecule binds to rRNA in a ribosome
tRNA molecule with complimentary anticodon binds to exposed codon on mRNA
some tRNA molecules recognize more than one codon

20. Translation Start and stop signals Initiation
start signal coded by AUG codon
stop signal coded by one of three nonsense codons: UAA - UAG - UGA
Initiation
Polypeptide synthesis begins with the formation of an initiation complex.
initiation factors

21. Translation Translocation
ribosome moves nucleotides along mRNA molecule

22. Translation Termination
Nonsense codons are recognized by release factors that release the newly made polypeptide from the ribosome.

23. Genetic Code
Genetic code consists of a series of information blocks called codons.
reading frame (triplet)
each codes for one amino acid
genetic code is nearly universal
mitochondria
chloroplasts

26. The Genetic Code 4 things put together in combinations of 3 = 43= 64
1. A triplet code comprised of three nucleotide bases in a sequence.
2. How many triplet codes?
20 common amino acids in a protein
4 diff. bases on DNA A,T,C, & G
| | | |
4 diff. bases on RNA U,A,G, & C
4 things put together in combinations of 3 = 43= 64
Therefore - 64 different DNA triplet codes or RNA codons

27. The 64 triplet codes 60 code for amino acids
4 act as "stop" and "start codes
Degenerate Code- more than one triplet code for some amino acids e.g.,
GGG
GGU
GGC
GGA
All code for the
amino acid glycine

28. Differences Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Gene Expression
Most eukaryotic genes possess introns.
Individual bacterial mRNA molecules often contain transcripts of several genes.
Eukaryotic mRNA molecules must be completely formed and must pass across the nuclear membrane before translation.
In prokaryotes, translation begins at the AUG codon preceded by a special nucleotide sequence.

29. Differences Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Gene Expression
Eukaryotic mRNA molecules have introns cut out and exons joined together before translation.
Eukaryotic ribosomes are larger than prokaryotic ribosomes.

30. GGTCAGTATTATTACGCGACGGGCAATCCGCACGTGTCATCAATAGTGCCTTCGTCTGAGATC
Challenge Question
DNA Template:
5’ (?)
mRNA
(?) 3’
GGTCAGTATTATTACGCGACGGGCAATCCGCACGTGTCATCAATAGTGCCTTCGTCTGAGATC 3’ 5’
mRNA:
Polypeptide: