Control of Gene Expression in

Eukaryotes
From DNA to protein
 Chromosome Structure
• Chromosomes: consist of DNA wound around
proteins called histones.
• Nucleosome: 8 histones and the DNA
wrapped around them
• DNA winds tightly into supercoils; this
prevents transcription
DNA Packing
 Control at the Chromosome Level
• DNA methylation: adding methyl groups (CH3)
turns genes off
• Histone Acetylation: adding acetyl groups
(COCH3) to histones causes them to loosen their
‘grip’ on the DNA molecule (DNA unpacking);
makes the DNA available for transcription (turns
gene on)
• X-Chromosome inactivation: one X chromosome
in all female mammal cells is permanently shut
down; called a Barr Body
 Controls over Transcription
• Are the most common type of regulation.
• Each gene has a promoter and terminator.
• Are usually switched off and require activators
to be turned on.
• Are controlled by numerous regulatory
proteins and control sequences (on the DNA).
 Controls over Transcription
(continued)
• Control sequences (regions on the DNA) include:
• 1) Promoter: where RNA polymerase binds
• 2) Enhancers: regions where activators bind and
interact with other transcription factors
• Proteins include:
• Activators (see above)
• Transcription factors: promote the binding of
RNA polymerase to the promoter
 Controls after Transcription
(Post-transcriptional controls)
• Addition of a single 5’ guanine cap and a 3’
poly-A tail to the mRNA.
• 1) Both aid in the binding of the mRNA to a
ribosome
• 2) The poly-A tail (200-250 adenine
nucleotides) helps preserve the mRNA in the
cytoplasm
 Controls after Transcription
(continued)
• Alternative mRNA splicing:
• Introns (non-coding regions) are snipped out;
exons (coding regions) are spliced together
• Results in:
• 1) alternative mRNAs from the same
transcript
• 2) can produce different proteins from the
same gene
 Controls over Translation
• RNA Interference (RNAi): interferes with
mRNA translation
• Involves microRNA (miRNA):
– Single-stranded chain about 20 nucleotides long
– Binds to a protein complex
– miRNA/protein complex binds to complementary
mRNA nucleotides
 Controls over Translation
(continued)
• Two possible outcomes of miRNA
interference:
• 1) degradation of the mRNA
• 2) blocking the ribosome (and translation)
 Post-Translational Controls
• 1) Protein activation through cleaving,
addition of sugars or lipids
• 2) Protein breakdown