Exam 11: Transcription in Eukaryotes

Describe a model for how Polycomb group proteins silence homeobox genes.

Gene regulatory elements are

Which of the following is not true of regulatory proteins that are classified as coactivators?

You include an inhibitor of the protein kinase activity of TFIIH in an in vitro transcription assay. What step in transcription would you expect to see blocked? Describe an experiment you would run to test your hypothesis. Predict the results.

After initiation of transcription, how does RNA polymerase II move through nucleosomes?

In order to be highly transcribed, a eukaryotic protein-coding gene may

How has in situ hybridization (FISH) evidence supported the chromosome territories and transcription factories hypotheses?

Familial dysautonomia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a mutation in a gene the plays a role in

Explain what is meant by the term "colinear expression" as it describes Hox genes in Drosophila.

Imagine you're assaying the DNase I sensitivity of the promoter regions of the beta-globin and vitellogenin genes in chicken liver, instead of in chick embryo erythroblasts. In this case you expect to find that:

Histone acetyl transferases exert their effect on gene activity at least in part by:

Promoter clearance requires what post-translational modification of RNA polymerase II? Where does this post-translational modification occur?

Draw a diagram illustrating the three key steps in the nuclear import of proteins. Which step requires the conversion of GTP to GDP?

Draw a rough diagram of the structure of yeast RNA polymerase II. Show where the DNA lies and show the location of the active site. What is the structure of the CTD?

Which of the following would not likely improve the expression of a transgene that integrated into a heterochromatic region of the genome?

What is the proposed function of TFIIS in RNA polymerase II-mediate transcription?

If the DNA double helix were inflexible, which of the following forms of transcriptional regulation would be most strongly affected?

Does RNA polymerase II bind directly to the core promoter by itself to initiate transcription? Explain your answer.

Assume that you find in Q. 90 that the zinc finger protein is sometimes in the nucleus and sometimes in the cytoplasm. Describe one possible mechanism for cytoplasmic retention and subsequent signal-mediated import of this transcription factor.

Draw a diagram of a RNA polymerase II promoter, showing all of the types of elements it could have. Exact sequences are not necessary.