Advanced Biology

Transcription and Translation

 RNA differs from DNA

12.1
 DNA  Protein
An organisms DNA codes for specific traits by
dictating the synthesis of proteins
The process by which DNA directs protein
synthesis, gene expression includes two
stages, called transcription and translation
DNA → RNA → protein

12.2
Eukaryotes vs. Prokaryotes

12.3
 Codons

12.4
 Codons

12.4
 Codon Reading Frame
AUG is always the
“start” codon so all
polypeptides begin with
Methionine when they
are synthesized
Having a consistent start
codon is necessary so
that the reading frame is
always the same.

12.5
 Transcription

The synthesis of RNA from

DNA
 Promoters and Terminators
Are sequences of DNA
Promoters signal the initiation of RNA
synthesis (TATA)
Terminators signal the end of RNA synthesis
(AAUAAA in eukaryotes)

12.6
 Three Steps

12.7
 Alteration of mRNA Ends
Each end of a pre-mRNA molecule is
modified in a particular way
– The 5′ end receives a modified nucleotide
cap
– The 3′ end gets a poly-A tail
A modified guanine nucleotide 50 to 250 adenine nucleotides
TRANSCRIPTION DNA
added to the 5′ end added to the 3′ end
RNA PROCESSING Pre-mRNA
5′ Protein-coding segment Polyadenylation signal
mRNA
3′
G P P P AAUAAA AAA…AAA
Ribosome
TRANSLATION

5′ Cap 5′ UTR Start codon Stop codon 3′ UTR Poly-A tail

Polypeptide

Figure 17.9
12.8
 Split Genes and RNA Splicing
RNA splicing
– Removes introns and joins exons
5′ Exon Intron 3′
TRANSCRIPTION DNA Pre-mRNA5′ Cap Exon Intron Exon Poly-A tail
RNA PROCESSING Pre-mRNA
1 30 31 104 105 146
mRNA Coding Introns cut out and
Ribosome segment exons spliced together
TRANSLATION

Polypeptide
mRNA 5′ Cap Poly-A tail
1 146
3′ UTR 3′ UTR

Figure 17.10
12.8
 Proteins often have a modular
architecture
Consisting of discrete structural and functional
regions called domains
In many cases different exons code for the
different domains in a protein
DNA
Gene
Exon 1 Intron Exon 2 Intron Exon 3
Transcription
RNA processing
Translation

Domain 3

Domain 2
Domain 1
12.8 Polypeptide
 Translation

The RNA directed synthesis

of a polypeptide
Translation -
an overview
 tRNA

12.9
 Ribosomes

12.10
 Initiation

12.11
 Elongation

12.11
 Termination

12.11
Polyribosomes

12.12
 Post Translation
Protein structure is determined by amino
acid sequence and modifications
Modifications include
– The attachment of certain sugars, lipids, or
phosphate groups
– Joining different subunits of the protein to
create the quaternary structure

12.13
 12.14
Point Mutations
The change of a single nucleotide in the DNA’s
template strand
 Two Types
Substitutions
– Replacing one or more base with others
Insertions or Deletions
– Adding or removing one or more base

12.14