{"id":5743,"date":"2020-05-16T23:56:11","date_gmt":"2020-05-17T06:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743///chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743//wou.edu/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743//chemistry/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743//?page_id=5743"},"modified":"2020-08-11T11:51:50","modified_gmt":"2020-08-11T18:51:50","slug":"chapter-10-transcription-and-rna-processing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743///chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743//wou.edu/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743//chemistry/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743//courses/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743//online-chemistry-textbooks/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743//ch450-and-ch451-biochemistry-defining-life-at-the-molecular-level/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743//chapter-10-transcription-and-rna-processing/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743//","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 10: Transcription and RNA Processing"},"content":{"rendered":"
Structurally speaking, ribonucleic acid (RNA), is quite similar to DNA. However, whereas DNA molecules are typically long and double stranded, RNA molecules are much shorter and are typically single stranded. A ribonucleotide within the RNA chain contains ribose (the pentose sugar), one of the four nitrogenous bases (A, U, G, and C), and a phosphate group. The subtle structural difference between the sugars gives DNA added stability, making DNA more suitable for storage of genetic information, whereas the relative instability of RNA makes it more suitable for its more short-term functions. The RNA-specific pyrimidine uracil forms a complementary base pair with adenine and is used instead of the thymine that is found in DNA. Even though RNA is single stranded, most types of RNA molecules show extensive intramolecular base pairing between complementary sequences within the RNA strand, creating a predictable three-dimensional structure essential for their function (Figures 10.1 and 10.2)./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Figure 10.1 RNA Structural Elements (a) Ribonucleotides contain the pentose sugar ribose instead of the deoxyribose found in deoxyribonucleotides. (b) RNA contains the pyrimidine uracil in place of thymine found in DNA./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Figure from:Parker, et al (2019) Microbiology from Openstax/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Figure 10.2 Structural Comparison of DNA and RNA (a) DNA is typically double stranded, whereas RNA is typically single stranded. (b) Although it is single stranded, RNA can fold upon itself, with the folds stabilized by short areas of complementary base pairing within the molecule, forming a three-dimensional structure./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Figure from: Parker, et al (2019) Microbiology from Openstax/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n RNA can largely be divided into two types, one that carries the code for making proteins or coding RNA, which is also called messenger RNA (mRNA), and non-coding RNA (ncRNA)./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u00a0 The ncRNA can be subdivided into several different types, depending either on the length of the RNA or on the function./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u00a0 Size classification begins with the short ncRNAs (~20/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u201330 nt), which include microRNAs (miRs), and small interfering (siRNAs);/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u00a0 the small ncRNAs up to 200 nt, which include transfer RNA (tRNA), small nuclear RNA (snRNA), and small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA); and long ncRNAs ( > 200 nt), which include ribosomal RNA (rRNA), enhancer RNA (eRNA) and long intergeneic ncRNAs (lincRNAs), among others./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Cells access the information stored in DNA by creating RNA, through the process of transcription, which then directs the synthesis of proteins through the process of translation. The three main types of RNA directly involved in protein synthesis are messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and transfer RNA (tRNA). The mRNA carries the message from the DNA, which controls all of the cellular activities in a cell. If a cell requires a certain protein to be synthesized, the gene for this product is /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u201cturned on/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u201d and the mRNA is synthesized through the process of transcription. The mRNA then interacts with ribosomes and other cellular machinery to direct the synthesis of the protein it encodes during the process of translation. mRNA is relatively unstable and short-lived in the cell, especially in prokaryotic cells, ensuring that proteins are only made when needed./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n rRNA and tRNA are stable types of RNA. In prokaryotes and eukaryotes, tRNA and rRNA are encoded by the DNA, where they are transcribed into long RNA molecules that are subsequently cut to release smaller fragments containing the individual mature RNA species. In eukaryotes, synthesis, cutting, and assembly of rRNA into ribosomes takes place in the nucleolus region of the nucleus, but these activities occur in the cytoplasm of prokaryotes./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u00a0 Within the nucleolus region, ribosome assembly requires the activity of numerous snoRNAs./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Ribosomes are composed of rRNA and protein. As its name suggests, rRNA is a major constituent of ribosomes, composing up to about 60% of the ribosome by mass and providing the location where the mRNA binds. The rRNA ensures the proper alignment of the mRNA, tRNA, and the ribosomes; the rRNA of the ribosome also has an enzymatic activity (peptidyl transferase) and catalyzes the formation of the peptide bonds between two aligned amino acids during protein synthesis (Figure 10.3). Although rRNA had long been thought to serve primarily a structural role, its catalytic role within the ribosome was shown in 2000. Scientists in the laboratories of Thomas Steitz (1940/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u2013) and Peter Moore (1939/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u2013) at Yale University were able to crystallize the ribosome structure from Haloarcula marismortui, a halophilic archaeon isolated from the Dead Sea. Because of the importance of this work, Steitz shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with other scientists who made significant contributions to the understanding of ribosome structure. The structure and function of ribosomes will be discussed in further detail in Chapter 11./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Transfer RNA (tRNA) is the third prominent type of RNA involved in protein translation. tRNAs are usually only 70/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u201390 nucleotides long. They carry the correct amino acid to the site of protein synthesis in the ribosome. It is the base pairing between the tRNA and mRNA that allows for the correct amino acid to be inserted in the polypeptide chain being synthesized (Figure 10.3). Any mutations in the tRNA or rRNA can result in global problems for the cell because both are necessary for proper protein synthesis./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Figure 10.3. A generalized illustration of how mRNA and tRNA are used in protein synthesis within a cell./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Figure from: Parker, et al (2019) Microbiology from Openstax/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n As described in Chapter 7, some RNA molecules have enzymatic properties and serve as ribozymes. Within this chapter, the activity of snRNAs during the process of intron removal from mRNA sequences function as ribozymes and will be described. Furthermore, a detailed description of the enzymatic features of the ribosome structure will be provided in Chapter 11./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Other small ncRNA and lncRNA molecules play a role in the regulation of transcriptional and translational processes. For example, the post-transcriptional expression levels of many genes can be controlled by RNA interference, in which miRNAs, specific short RNA molecules, pair with mRNA regions and target them for degradation (Figure 10.4). This process is aided by protein chaperones called argonautes. This antisense-based process involves steps that first process the miRNA so that it can base-pair with a region of its target mRNAs. Once the base pairing occurs, other proteins direct the mRNA to be destroyed by nucleases. Fire and Mello were awarded the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this discovery./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Figure 10.4 Role of Micro RNA (miRNA) in the Inhibition of Eukaryotic mRNA Translation. (1) A protein called Exportin-5 transports a hairpin primary micro RNA (pri-miRNA) out of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm. (2) An enzyme called Dicer (not shown), trims the pri-miRNA and removes the hairpin loop. A group of proteins, known as Argonautes, form a miRNA/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743//protein complex. (3) miRNA/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743//protein complex hydrogen bonds with mRNA based on complimentary sequence homology, and blocks translation. (4) The miRNA/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743//protein complex binding speeds up the breakdown of the polyA tail of the mRNA, causing the mRNA to be degraded sooner./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Figure modified from: Wikimedia Commons/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n At steady state, the vast majority of human cellular RNA consists of rRNA (/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u223c90% of total RNA for most cells Figure 10.5). Although there is less tRNA by mass, their small size results in their molar level being higher than rRNA (Figure 10.5). Other abundant RNAs, such as mRNA, snRNA, and snoRNAs are present in aggregate at levels that are about 1/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u20132 orders of magnitude lower than rRNA and tRNA (Figure 10.5). Certain small RNAs, such as miRNA and piRNAs can be present at very high levels; however, this appears to be cell type dependent. lncRNAs are present at levels that are two orders of magnitude less than total mRNA. Although the estimated number of different types of human lncRNAs may have a very restricted expression pattern and thus, accumulate to higher levels within specific cell types. For example, sequencing of mammalian transcriptomes has revealed more than 100,000 different lncRNA molecules can be produced, compared with the approximate 20,000 protein-coding genes. The diversity and functions of the transcriptome within biological processes are currently a highly active area of research. /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Figure 10.5: Estimate of RNA levels in a typical mammalian cell. Proportion of the various classes of RNA in mammalian somatic cells by total mass (A) and by absolute number of molecules (B). Total number of RNA molecules is estimated at roughly 107 per cell. Other ncRNAs in (A) include snRNA, snoRNA, and miRNA. Note that due to their relatively large sizes, rRNA, mRNA, and lncRNAs make up a larger proportion of the mass as compared to the overall number of molecules./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Figure from: Palazzo, A. and Lee, E.S. (2015) Frontiers in Genetics 6:2/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n RNA Polymerase Enzymes (RNAPs) are required to carry out the process of transcription and are found in all cells ranging from bacteria to humans. All RNAPs are multi-subunit assemblies, with bacteria having five core subunits that have homologs in archaeal and eukaryotic RNAPs. Bacterial RNAPs are the simplest form of RNA polymerases and provide an excellent system to study how they control transcription./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n The RNAP catalytic core within bacteria contains five major subunits (/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03b12/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03b2/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03b2’/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03c9) (Fig 10.7B)./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u00a0 To position this catalytic core onto the correct promoter requires the association of a sixth subunit called the sigma factor (/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03c3). Within bacteria there are multiple different sigma factors that can associate with the catalytic core of RNAP that help to direct the catalytic core to the correct DNA locations where RNAP can then initiate transcription. For example, within E. coli /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03c370 is the housekeeping sigma factor that is responsible for transcribing most genes in growing cells. It keeps essential genes and pathways operating. Other sigma factors are activated during certain environmental situations, such as /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03c338 which is activated during starvation or when cells reach the stationary phase. When the sigma subunit associates with the RNAP catalytic core, the RNAP has then formed the holoenzyme. When bound to DNA, the holoenzyme conformation of RNAP can initiate transcription./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Transcription takes place in several stages. To start with, the RNA polymerase holoenzyme locates and binds to promoter DNA. At this stage the RNAP holoenzyme is it the closed conformation (RPc) (Figure 10.6). Initial specific binding to the promoter by sigma factors of the holoenzyme, sets in motion conformational changes in which the RNAP molecular machine bends and wraps the DNA with mobile regions of RNAP playing key roles (Figure 10.6). Next, RNAP separates the two strands of DNA and exposes a portion of the template strand. At this point, the DNA and the holoenzyme are said to be in an /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u2018open promoter complex/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u2019 (RPo), and the section of promoter DNA that is within it is known as a /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u2018transcription bubble/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u2019 (Figure 10.6)./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Figure 10.6. Schematic Representation of E.coli Transcriptional Initiation. Closed complexes like RPC, I1,E (early), or I1,L (late) can be significant members of the rapidly equilibrating I1 ensemble. RPo signifies the end of the initiation stage and entry into the elongation phase of RNA synthesis. The /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03b1 domains are shown in light blue; /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03c3 domains are indicated by numbers 1.1, 1.2, 2, 3, and 4./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Figure from: Ruff, E.F., et. al. (2015) Biomolecules 5(2):1035-1062./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n In bacterial systems, the sigma factor locates the transcriptional start site using key DNA sequence elements located at -35 nucleotides and -10 nucleotides from the transcriptional initiation site (Fig 10.7A)/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u00a0 For RNAP from Thermus aquaticus, the /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u221235 element interacts exclusively with /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03c3A4. The duplex DNA just upstream of the /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u221210 element (/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u221217 to /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u221213) interacts with /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03b2/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u2032, /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03c3A3, and /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03c3A2 (Fig. 10.7B). Flipping of the A/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u221211(nt) base from the duplex DNA into its recognition pocket in /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03c3A2 is thought to be the key event in the initiation of promoter melting and the formation of the transcription bubble (Figure 107.C). Once the transcription bubble has formed and transcription initiates, the sigma subunits dissociate from the complex and the RNAP catalytic subunit continues elongation on its own./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Figure 10.7 Structure of the RNAP Holoenzyme in Thermus aquaticus. (A) Oligonucleotides used for the crystallization of the RNAP holoenzyme in the open conformation. The numbers above denote the DNA position with respect to the transcription start site (+1). The /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u221235 and /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u221210 (Pribnow box) elements are shaded yellow, the extended /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u221210 and discriminator elements purple. The nontemplate-strand DNA (top strand) is colored dark grey; template-strand DNA (bottom strand), light grey; RNA transcript, red. (B) Overall structure of RNAP holoenzyme in the open conformation bound with the DNA nucleotides. The nucleic acids are shown as CPK spheres and color-coded as in diagram A. Within RNAP, the /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03b1I, /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03b1II, /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03c9, are shown in grey; /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03b2 in light cyan; /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03b2/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u2032 in light pink; /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03941.1/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03c3A/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u00a0 in light orange. The Taq E/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03941.1/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u03c3A is shown as a molecular surface and the forward portion of the RNAP holoenzyme is transparent to reveal the RNAP active site Mg2+ (yellow sphere) and the nucleic acids held inside the RNAP active site channel. (C) Electron density and model for RNAP holoeznzyme nucleic acids in the open conformation. Color coding matches diagram A./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n Figure modified from: Bae, B., et.al. (2015) eLife 4:e08504/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n In eukaryotic cells, three RNAPs share the task of transcription, the first step in gene expression. RNA Polymerase I (Pol I) is responsible for the synthesis of the majority of rRNA transcripts, whereas RNA Polymerase III (Pol III) produces short, structured RNAs such as tRNAs and 5S rRNA. RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) produces all mRNAs and most regulatory and untranslated RNAs./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n The three eukaryotic RNA polymerases contain homologs to the the five core subunits found in prokaryotic RNAPs. In addition, the eukaryotic Pol I, Pol II and Pol III have five additional subunits forming a catalytic core that contains 10-subunits (Fig. 10.8). The core has a characteristic crab-claw shape which encloses a central cleft that harbors the DNA, and has two channels, one for the substrate NTPs and the other for the RNA product. Two /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u2018pinchers/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u2019, called the /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u2018clamp/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u2019 and /chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u2018jaw/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/u2019 stabilize the DNA at the downstream end and allow opening and closing of the cleft. For transcription to occur, the enzyme has to maintain a transcription bubble with separated DNA strands, facilitate the addition of nucleotides, translocate along the template, stabilize the DNA:RNA hybrid and finally allow the DNA strands to reanneal. This is achieved by a number of conserved elements in the active site, which include the fork loop(s), rudder, wall, trigger loop and bridge helix./chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n
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Prokaryotic RNA Polymerase Enzymes/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n
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/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/nEukaryotic RNA Polymerase Enzymes/chemistry/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/5743/n