🧠
The central dogma,
transcription and regulation of
gene expression
The central dogma of biology
What is RNA
Similar structure to DNA but has ribonucleotides instead of deoxyribose acids
RNA is able to base pair with itself and DNA
Bases are: A, U, C, and G
RNA is generally shorter than DNA and is less stable
Functions:
-Carrying genetic information (some viruses use RNA instead of DNA as their
The central dogma, transcription and regulation of gene expression 1
, genome)
-Acting as a messenger between DNA and proteins (mRNA)
-Helping build proteins (tRNA and rRNA)
Regulating gene expression (e.g. miRNA, siRNA)
Transcription
Transcription is the process of copying or transcribing DNA
Transcription and RNA processing occurs in the nucleus, translation occurs in
the cytoplasm
Transcription is performed by RNA polymerase
RNA polymerase copies DNA in a 5’ to 3’ direction
The central dogma, transcription and regulation of gene expression 2
, Initiation
Genetic elements are required for initiation of transcription
Different RNA polymerases have different core promoters
Most protein coding genes contain a TATA box upstream of the the TTS, a
“weak” TTS sequence and upstream elements such as DPE
The central dogma, transcription and regulation of gene expression 3
The central dogma,
transcription and regulation of
gene expression
The central dogma of biology
What is RNA
Similar structure to DNA but has ribonucleotides instead of deoxyribose acids
RNA is able to base pair with itself and DNA
Bases are: A, U, C, and G
RNA is generally shorter than DNA and is less stable
Functions:
-Carrying genetic information (some viruses use RNA instead of DNA as their
The central dogma, transcription and regulation of gene expression 1
, genome)
-Acting as a messenger between DNA and proteins (mRNA)
-Helping build proteins (tRNA and rRNA)
Regulating gene expression (e.g. miRNA, siRNA)
Transcription
Transcription is the process of copying or transcribing DNA
Transcription and RNA processing occurs in the nucleus, translation occurs in
the cytoplasm
Transcription is performed by RNA polymerase
RNA polymerase copies DNA in a 5’ to 3’ direction
The central dogma, transcription and regulation of gene expression 2
, Initiation
Genetic elements are required for initiation of transcription
Different RNA polymerases have different core promoters
Most protein coding genes contain a TATA box upstream of the the TTS, a
“weak” TTS sequence and upstream elements such as DPE
The central dogma, transcription and regulation of gene expression 3
