BIOL402 - Gene Expression

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BIOL402 - Gene Expression

Module co-ordinator : Dr. P.C. Turner

Location

Life Sciences LT2/3

Times

Thursday LT2, Friday LT3: 09.00 + Wednesday LT2 (Wk 10-11): 10.00

Week
Lecture Content

1-3
5 Professor P. Strike
Gene expression in prokaryotes.

Gene organisation in bacteriophage lambda. Clustering of early, late early and late functions. Temporal expression of lambda genes during lytic growth

The lysogenic life cycle. Environmental factors affecting lysogeny. Clear plaque mutants and genetic insights into lysogeny.

Properties of the cI repressor. Binding to operator sites. Properties of cII and cIII proteins. Integration and lysogeny.

Balance between cI repressor and Cro protein - they key step in the decision between lysis and lysogeny. Mechanisms of anti-termination (N and Q) and retro-regulation.

Site specific recombination in bacteriophage lambda: integration and excision, mechanisms and control

3-6
6 Dr M. X. Caddick
Gene expression in eukaryotes.

Overview of gene expression and its regulation in Eukaryotes. Possible points of altering gene expression, from altered DNA structure to translation. Trypanosoma brucei VSG expression - a role for DNA rearrangement.

DNA methylation and genomic imprinting.

Polymerase II transcribed genes: gene structure and expression. TBP: molecular and genetic characterisation.

Initiation of transcription: The role of TAFs, transcription factors and multi-protein complexes. Assembly or recruitment of initiation complexes. The modification of chromatin structure in relation to gene expression.

Regulatory proteins. Essential functions: nuclear localisation, DNA scanning, DNA binding, activation./repression, modulation. Characterisation of structure and function.

Complex regulatory networks: The role of synergy, multiple transcription factors and signal transduction pathways.

6-9
6 Dr. P. C. Turner
Post-transcriptional control of gene expression in eukaryotes.

Overview of post-transcriptional processes. Capping, splicing, alternative splicing, polyadenylation, 3'-end formation, RNA export, cytoplasmic events.

3'-end formation -1: poly A processing.

3'-end formation -2: histone pre-mRNA maturation. SnRNAs and snRNPs.

Splicing of pre-mRNA.

Alternative pre-mRNA processing.

RNA transport and control of gene expression in the cytoplasm.

9-11
7 Dr M. R. White
Special topics in gene expression.

The discovery and characterisation of MyoD.

The discovery and function of homeobox genes —1.

The discovery and function of homeobox genes — 2.

Video: The discovery of the homeobox.

Video: Dolly the sheep.

Dolly the sheep: The development of transgenic technology and animal cloning.

Transcription and clocks: Recent discoveries of the mechanism of circadian rhythms.

CONTENTS | NEXT PAGE

Location	Life Sciences LT2/3
Times	Thursday LT2, Friday LT3: 09.00 + Wednesday LT2 (Wk 10-11): 10.00

Week	Lecture	Content
1-3	5	Professor P. Strike Gene expression in prokaryotes. Gene organisation in bacteriophage lambda. Clustering of early, late early and late functions. Temporal expression of lambda genes during lytic growth The lysogenic life cycle. Environmental factors affecting lysogeny. Clear plaque mutants and genetic insights into lysogeny. Properties of the cI repressor. Binding to operator sites. Properties of cII and cIII proteins. Integration and lysogeny. Balance between cI repressor and Cro protein - they key step in the decision between lysis and lysogeny. Mechanisms of anti-termination (N and Q) and retro-regulation. Site specific recombination in bacteriophage lambda: integration and excision, mechanisms and control
3-6	6	Dr M. X. Caddick Gene expression in eukaryotes. Overview of gene expression and its regulation in Eukaryotes. Possible points of altering gene expression, from altered DNA structure to translation. Trypanosoma brucei VSG expression - a role for DNA rearrangement. DNA methylation and genomic imprinting. Polymerase II transcribed genes: gene structure and expression. TBP: molecular and genetic characterisation. Initiation of transcription: The role of TAFs, transcription factors and multi-protein complexes. Assembly or recruitment of initiation complexes. The modification of chromatin structure in relation to gene expression. Regulatory proteins. Essential functions: nuclear localisation, DNA scanning, DNA binding, activation./repression, modulation. Characterisation of structure and function. Complex regulatory networks: The role of synergy, multiple transcription factors and signal transduction pathways.
6-9	6	Dr. P. C. Turner Post-transcriptional control of gene expression in eukaryotes. Overview of post-transcriptional processes. Capping, splicing, alternative splicing, polyadenylation, 3'-end formation, RNA export, cytoplasmic events. 3'-end formation -1: poly A processing. 3'-end formation -2: histone pre-mRNA maturation. SnRNAs and snRNPs. Splicing of pre-mRNA. Alternative pre-mRNA processing. RNA transport and control of gene expression in the cytoplasm.
9-11	7	Dr M. R. White Special topics in gene expression. The discovery and characterisation of MyoD. The discovery and function of homeobox genes —1. The discovery and function of homeobox genes — 2. Video: The discovery of the homeobox. Video: Dolly the sheep. Dolly the sheep: The development of transgenic technology and animal cloning. Transcription and clocks: Recent discoveries of the mechanism of circadian rhythms.