Gene Expression

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH SUDAN
FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
FIRST YEAR
SEMESTER ONE
ACADEMIC YEAR 2023/2024
COURSE UNIT: BIOLOGY

TOPIC: GENE EXPRESSION
ASSIGNMENT NO:1
LECTURER NAME: MR. JOKINO MAYIK
STUDENT’S NAME: BENJAMIN LUGA HILLARY
SUBMISSION DATE:03rd NOVEMBER, 2023
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GENE EXPRESSION.
Gene expression: is the process by which the instructions in our DNA are converted into a
functional product, such as a protein. Gene expression is a tightly regulated process that allows
a cell to respond to its changing environment.it acts as both an on/off switch to control when
proteins are made and also a volume control that increases or decreases amount of proteins
made.
There are two keys steps involved in making a protein, transcription and translation.
Transcription – copies DNA to make mRNA Eukaryote. Transcription it involves the production
of RNA from genes.
Transcription; is when the DNA in a gene is copied to produce an RNA transcript called
messenger RNA. This is carried by the enzyme called RNA polymerase which uses available
bases from the nucleus of the cell to from the mRNA. RNA is a chemical similar in structure and
properties to DNA, but it only has a single strand of bases and instead of the base thymine (T)
,RNA has a base called uracil (U).
Gene expression involves coded information on the DNA strand (gene)being synthesized into a
functional gene product. Usually protein .it involves the process of protein synthesis in which
DNA codes mRNA polypeptide or protein. A specific gene on the DNA codes for a
specific protein. Gene expression is used by all living organisms (eukaryotes, prokaryotes and
possibly induced by viruses) to produce the macromolecules used for life.
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In the nucleus the DNA molecule is unwind by an enzyme, exposing the nucleotides on the DNA
strand. Another enzyme binds to the promotor region on the template strand. Transcription
factors which are attached to an enhancer sequence upstream from the gene being transcribed
join to the enzyme on the promoter sequence. This starts transcription of the gene. Free
nucleotides match with their corresponding nucleotides on the template strand and the mRNA
molecules is formed. The free nucleotides follow the base pairing rule of G-C and A-T however,
on the mRNA strand T is replaced with U.RNA polymerase transcribes the gene until the
termination sequence.
Extension
In the nucleus the DNA molecule is unwind by the enzyme helicase, exposing the nucleotides on
the DNA strand. the enzyme RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region on the template
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strand. However, RNA polymerase alone cannot start transcription of the gene. Transcription
factors must also bind to the promoter region. Transcription factors are attached to an
enhancer sequence which is upstream from the gene being transcribed. Transcription is
activated when the transcription factors bind to the RNA polymerase. This is achieved by the
enhancer sequence looping (hairpin loop) round so the transcription factors can join to the RNA
polymerase. The RNA polymerase and transcription factors are now called the transcription
initiation complex. The formation of a mRNA molecule starts. Free nucleotides are
complementary and match with their corresponding nucleotide on the template strand and as
the transcription initiation complex moves down the template strand it joins the bonds of the
mRNA backbone. The free nucleotides follow the base pairing rule of G-C and A-T however, on
the mRNA strand T is replaced with U. This This enables the mRNA strand ( copy of gene) to
leave the nucleus while the ‘’master” DNA remains with the nucleus .RNA polymerase
transcribes the gene until the termination sequence.
It is thought a range of transcription factors and enhancer sequences selectively express

specific genes at different stages of the cells development. (example here of research
Prokaryote – add picture Prokaryotes do not have a nucleus therefore the DNA is found in the
cytoplasm and all stages of protein synthesis occur in the cytoplasm. As in Eukaryotes the DNA
molecule is unwind by an enzyme exposing the nucleotide bases. For transcription to begin RNA
polymerase must also bind to a promotor region on the DNA. However, an active repressor
molecule binds to an operator region preventing the RNA polymerase transcribing the gene.
This active repressor is created by a regulatory gene which is upstream from the structural
genes (operon). Genes are ‘switched on’ by an inducer. This inducer molecule binds to the
active repressor changing its shape and making it no longer viable to bind to the operator
region and prevent the RNA polymerase from transcribing the gene. With no active repressor in
the way the RNA polymerase can now start adding free nucleotides constructing a mRNA
molecule as in eukaryotes. (Extension – Spicing/ mRNA processing) The mRNA has sections that
do not code for functional proteins. These sections are called introns and are removed through
the process of splicing before the mRNA leaves the nucleus. Eukaryote & Prokaryotes 2.
Translation- mRNA molecule is made into a polypeptide chain. The mRNA molecule leaves the
nucleus via a nuclear pore and attaches to a ribosome in the cytoplasm. The ribosome is the
site of translation. The mRNA moves through the ribosome and codons on the mRNA are
translated via tRNA into a chain of amino acids. tRNA is made up of an anticodon and amino
acid. Codon/anti codons are specific to amino.
acids. The anticodon on the tRNA matches up with the complementary codon on the mRNA in
the ribosome. The amino acid is ‘dropped off’ and a peptide bond forms between amino acids.
The anticodons then goes back into the cytoplasm to attach to a specific amino acid and match
up with another complementary codon. This process continues until the mRNA molecule is
translated. The final order of amino acids (primary protein structure) is not random but
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determined by the genetic code on the original DNA sequence. A specific gene codes for a
specific protein. 3. Formation of a protein The final order of the amino acid sequence affects
the folding of the final protein. Amino acids interact together forming bonds between amino
acids and causing the polypeptide chain to coil and fold. A folded amino acid chain may join
with another amino acid chain to form the final functional protein. Extension The final order of
the amino acid sequence affects the folding of the final protein. Amino acids interact together
forming bonds (such as hydrogen bonds, disulphide bridges and ionic bonds) and causing
folding. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions within the protein also cause coiling and folding.
References
Campbell, Neil A. and Reece Jane B (2001). "6". Biology. Benjamin Cummings. Greenwood T,
Bainbridge-Smith, Pryor K and Allan R (2012). Level 8 Biozone. King W, Cummings M and
Spencer C. Concepts of Genetics. “8” Prentice Hall. Jarvise S, Schofield A and Hook G. Biology
Year 13 Pathfinder Series.

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CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH SUDAN

FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

COURSE UNIT: BIOLOGY

SUBMISSION DATE:03rd NOVEMBER, 2023

It is thought a range of transcription factors and enhancer sequences selectively express

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