Exam 17: Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes

Transcription factors are proteins with at least two functional domains-one that binds to DNA and one that binds to RNA polymerase or to other transcription factors.

Mutations in the promoter region of the β-globin gene indicate that some areas are more sensitive than others. When mutations occur in consensus sequences (modular elements such as GC box, CAAT box, TATA box), does transcription usually increase or decrease?

In what way do upstream activator sequences (UASs), regulatory sequences in yeast, differ from enhancers and silencers?

In general, one could say that fewer levels of regulation are possible in prokaryotes than in eukaryotes.

The term spliceopathy would be a reasonable term to signify a genetic condition caused by a defect in the regulation of RNA splicing.

In what way is 5′-azacytidine used (experimentally) in the treatment of sickle-cell anemia?

Which process seems to be the most similar between eukaryotic and prokaryotic genetic regulation?

List three major structural classifications of DNA-binding domains that are found in eukaryotic transcription factors.

Alternative RNA processing can result in different mRNAs that start with different exons.

UASs (upstream activating sequences) are DNase hypersensitive. This means that ________.

Approximately 5% of the cytosine residues are methylated in the genome of any given eukaryote. In what way is DNA methylation related to genetic regulation?

Transcription in eukaryotes is generally influenced by enhancers just as in prokaryotes.

Because of the imprecision of molecular joining, recombination between LV and J regions shows considerable variation. Which additional circumstance contributes to this variation?

Which of the following clusters of terms applies when addressing enhancers or silencers as elements associated with eukaryotic genetic regulation?

Describe the difference between a focused promoter and a dispersed promoter.

Two modular elements that appear as consensus sequences upstream from RNA polymerase II transcription start sites are ________.

Provide a general set of statements that describes an enhancer.

In some cases, genes undergo amplification (local, multiple duplications) when additional gene products are in high demand. Would you consider gene amplification as a form of genetic regulation in eukaryotes? Explain your answer.

The CAAT (CAAT box) sequence appears to be critical to the ability of many eukaryotic promoters to facilitate transcription.

Enhancers are said to be cis-acting. What is meant by cis-acting, and what are enhancers?