Gene Expression: From DNA to Protein

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Gene Expression

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

The central dogma of molecular biology describes the unidirectional flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein. This process is fundamental to all living organisms and explains how genetic information is expressed as functional products.

Transcription: The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.
Translation: The process of synthesizing proteins using the information encoded in mRNA.
Gene Expression: The full process by which genotype becomes expressed as phenotype, encompassing both transcription and translation.
DNA can be replicated, and in some cases, RNA can be reverse-transcribed into DNA, but the transfer of information from nucleic acid to protein is irreversible.

Central Dogma: DNA to RNA to Protein

Transcription

Introduction to Transcription

Transcription is the process by which RNA is synthesized from a DNA template within a gene. Genes are specific sequences of DNA that encode products such as proteins or functional RNAs.

Promoter: DNA sequence where transcription begins; site of RNA polymerase attachment.
Terminator: DNA sequence where transcription ends.
RNA Polymerase: Enzyme that synthesizes RNA from scratch, without a primer.
Upstream/Downstream: Terms describing directionality relative to the transcription start site.

Gene structure: promoter, coding sequence, terminator

DNA Strands in Transcription

Genes are located on double-stranded DNA, but only one strand serves as the template for RNA synthesis.

Coding Strand: Has the same sequence as the RNA transcript (except T is replaced by U in RNA).
Template Strand: Serves as the template for RNA synthesis; RNA is complementary to this strand.
RNA is synthesized in the 5' to 3' direction by pairing free RNA nucleotides with the DNA template.
Base Pairing: A pairs with U (in RNA), T with A, C with G, and G with C.

Transcription: coding and template strands

Steps of Transcription

Transcription occurs in three main steps: initiation, elongation, and termination.

Initiation: RNA polymerase binds to the promoter and unwinds the DNA.
Elongation: RNA polymerase synthesizes the RNA molecule by adding nucleotides in the 5' to 3' direction.
Termination: RNA polymerase reaches the terminator sequence and releases the newly synthesized RNA.

Initiation: Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes Elongation of Transcription Termination of Transcription

Eukaryotic RNA Processing & Splicing

In eukaryotes, the initial RNA transcript (pre-mRNA) undergoes several modifications before becoming mature mRNA ready for translation.

5' Cap: Addition of a modified guanine nucleotide to the 5' end.
Poly-A Tail: Addition of a sequence of adenine nucleotides to the 3' end.
These modifications facilitate export from the nucleus, protect mRNA from degradation, and help ribosome binding.

Pre-mRNA to Modified mRNA RNA Processing: 5' cap and poly-A tail

RNA Splicing

RNA splicing removes noncoding regions (introns) from pre-mRNA and joins coding regions (exons) to produce mature mRNA.

Introns: Noncoding regions that are removed.
Exons: Coding regions that are expressed.
Spliceosome: Complex responsible for removing introns.
Alternative Splicing: Allows a single gene to code for multiple proteins by varying the combination of exons included in the final mRNA.

RNA Splicing and Alternative Splicing

Types of RNA

Major Types of RNA

Cells use several types of RNA, each with distinct functions:

Messenger RNA (mRNA): Carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis; contains codons.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): Structural and catalytic component of ribosomes.
Transfer RNA (tRNA): Brings amino acids to the ribosome during translation; contains anticodons complementary to mRNA codons.

Types of RNA: mRNA, rRNA, tRNA

The Genetic Code

Structure and Use of the Genetic Code

The genetic code is a set of rules by which information encoded in mRNA is translated into proteins. It is nearly universal and redundant, with multiple codons coding for the same amino acid.

Each codon (three-nucleotide sequence) specifies one amino acid.
Start codon (AUG) signals the beginning of translation; stop codons (UAA, UAG, UGA) signal termination.
Redundancy means that some amino acids are specified by more than one codon.

Genetic Code Table DNA to mRNA to Polypeptide Genetic Code Table (alternate view)

Translation

Introduction to Translation

Translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using the sequence of codons in mRNA as a template.

Ribosomes: Complexes of rRNA and proteins that facilitate the linking of amino acids.
tRNA: Delivers specific amino acids to the ribosome; each tRNA has an anticodon that pairs with an mRNA codon.
Charged tRNA: tRNA attached to an amino acid; Discharged tRNA: tRNA without an amino acid.

Translation: tRNA and Ribosome tRNA Structure

Ribosome Structure and tRNA Binding Sites

Ribosomes have two subunits and three tRNA binding sites:

Prokaryotic Ribosome: 70S (50S large + 30S small subunit)
Eukaryotic Ribosome: 80S (60S large + 40S small subunit)
A-site (Aminoacyl): Holds tRNA with the next amino acid.
P-site (Peptidyl): Holds tRNA with the growing polypeptide chain.
E-site (Exit): Where discharged tRNAs leave the ribosome.

Ribosome Subunits and tRNA Binding Sites tRNA Binding Sites: A, P, E

Steps of Translation

Translation occurs in three main steps: initiation, elongation, and termination.

Initiation: Small ribosomal subunit binds mRNA and initiator tRNA (carrying methionine) at the start codon (AUG); large subunit then binds.
Elongation: Amino acids are added one by one to the C-terminus of the growing chain; ribosome moves along mRNA 5' to 3'.
Termination: Stop codon is reached; release factors bind, and the polypeptide is released.

Initiation of Translation Elongation of Translation Termination of Translation Termination of Translation (alternate view)

Post-Translational Modification

Types and Functions

After translation, proteins often undergo covalent modifications that regulate their activity, stability, and localization.

Methylation
Acetylation
Ubiquitination
Phosphorylation
Glycosylation: Addition of carbohydrates to proteins.
These modifications can be reversible and are essential for proper protein function.

Post-Translational Modifications

Comparison: Transcription vs. Translation

Transcription and translation are distinct but interconnected processes in gene expression.

	Transcription	Translation
Product Formed	RNA Molecule	Polypeptide (Protein)
Macromolecule Change?	Nucleic Acid → Nucleic Acid	Nucleic Acid → Protein
Major Enzyme/Structure	RNA Polymerase	Ribosome
Location	Nucleus (Eukaryotes)	Cytoplasm
Direction of Synthesis	5' → 3'	N-terminus → C-terminus

Transcription vs. Translation Table

Mutations

Definition and Types

Mutations are permanent changes in the DNA sequence. They can affect gene expression and protein function, and may be harmful, beneficial, or neutral.

Point Mutations: Single nucleotide changes (substitution, insertion, deletion).
Frameshift Mutations: Insertions or deletions that alter the reading frame.
Missense Mutation: Changes one amino acid in the protein.
Nonsense Mutation: Introduces a premature stop codon.
Silent Mutation: Does not change the amino acid sequence due to redundancy in the genetic code.

Mutations can occur spontaneously or be induced by environmental factors (mutagens). They are a major source of genetic diversity.