Gene Regulation


Video Clips

Video RealVideo®
7:50 minutes (1:33 - 9:23)

DNA to protein central dogma can be regulated by DNA rearrangement, transcriptional regulation, and translational regulation. Transcriptional regulation includes: Initiation, splicing, and mRNA stability.

Instructors: Prof. Eric Lander, Prof. Robert Weinberg, Dr. Claudette Gardel
Prior Knowledge: None
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Video RealVideo®
8:37 minutes (9:23 - 18:00)

The need for gene regulation in bacteria with beta-galactosidase as an example.

Instructors: Prof. Eric Lander, Prof. Robert Weinberg, Dr. Claudette Gardel
Prior Knowledge: None
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Video RealVideo®
12:54 minutes (18:00 - 30:54)

Lac operon includes the lac gene, promoter, gene for the lac repressor and operator. Lac repressor inhibits transcription by binding to the operator. Lactose induces transcription by sequestering the lac repressor.

Instructors: Prof. Eric Lander, Prof. Robert Weinberg, Dr. Claudette Gardel
Prior Knowledge: Gene regulation in bacteria
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Video RealVideo®
4:06 minutes (47:29 - 51:35)

Transcriptional activator with cAMP as an example. Under low glucose conditions, high cAMP levels activate the lac gene by helping RNA polymerase to bind to the lac promotor.

Instructors: Prof. Eric Lander, Prof. Robert Weinberg, Dr. Claudette Gardel
Prior Knowledge: None
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Video RealVideo®
6:03 minutes (37:57 - 44:00)

Transcription regulated by the non-universal promoters and transcriptional terminators. RNA polymerase used in transcription.

Instructors: Prof. Penny Chisholm, Prof. Graham Walker, Dr. Julia Khodor, Dr. Michelle Mischke
Prior Knowledge: None
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Video RealVideo®
7:50 minutes (36:56 - 44:46)

Study of gene regulation using lactose and beta-galactosidase. Determined that regulation occurred at the transcriptional level.

Instructors: Prof. Penny Chisholm, Prof. Graham Walker, Dr. Julia Khodor, Dr. Michelle Mischke
Prior Knowledge: Transcription
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Video RealVideo®
18:37 minutes (7:45 - 26:22)

Definition of operon, promotor, terminator, and lac repressor. Repressor binds to the operator region near the promotor to suppress transcription. Lactose binds repressor to suppress the repressor.

Instructors: Prof. Penny Chisholm, Prof. Graham Walker, Dr. Julia Khodor, Dr. Michelle Mischke
Prior Knowledge: Other sections on gene regulation
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Video RealVideo®
4:23 minutes (26:22 - 30:45)

Definition, function, nomenclature, and role of promoters in the lac operon. Promotor is a DNA sequence that bind RNA polymerase to start transcription of a gene.

Instructors: Prof. Penny Chisholm, Prof. Graham Walker, Dr. Julia Khodor, Dr. Michelle Mischke
Prior Knowledge: DNA
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Video RealVideo®
7:00 minutes (30:45 - 37:45)

Negative versus positive regulation. Examples and mutations that affect regulation.

Instructors: Prof. Penny Chisholm, Prof. Graham Walker, Dr. Julia Khodor, Dr. Michelle Mischke
Prior Knowledge: Other sections on gene regulation
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Video RealVideo®
9:47 minutes (37:45 - 47:32)

Specifics for glucose as the positive regulator of the lac operon with several intermediates.

Instructors: Prof. Penny Chisholm, Prof. Graham Walker, Dr. Julia Khodor, Dr. Michelle Mischke
Prior Knowledge: Other sections on gene regulation
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Audio Clips

Audio RealAudio®
6:10 minutes (4:25 - 10:35)

Gene components relevant to the processes of transcription, and splicing.

Instructors: Prof. Tyler Jacks, Prof. Hazel Sive
Prior Knowledge: DNA, RNA
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Audio RealAudio®
19:17 minutes (10:35 - 29:52)

A introduction to the translation step of the 'Central Dogma'. Includes interpreters, amino acids, and the other basic components of translation.

Instructors: Prof. Tyler Jacks, Prof. Hazel Sive
Prior Knowledge: DNA, RNA
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Audio RealAudio®
2:37 minutes (29:52 - 32:29)

Ribosomal structure and components. Large ribosomal complex consisting of subunits, proteins, and rRNA.

Instructors: Prof. Tyler Jacks, Prof. Hazel Sive
Prior Knowledge: Proteins, Enzymes
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Practice Problems

Document PDF
Problem 3 (page 4)

Operon with multiple regulatory components for expression of multiple genes in the same pathway.

Instructors: Prof. Penny Chisholm, Prof. Graham Walker, Dr. Julia Khodor, Dr. Michelle Mischke
Prior Knowledge: None
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Document PDF
Problem A (page 1)

Definition of gene and protein. Components of gene regulation; cis- and trans- regulation.

Instructors: Prof. Penny Chisholm, Prof. Graham Walker, Dr. Julia Khodor, Dr. Michelle Mischke
Prior Knowledge: None
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Document PDF
Problem B (page 2)

Fryose metabolism operon as an example of gene regulation. Mutations affecting different regulatory components.

Instructors: Prof. Penny Chisholm, Prof. Graham Walker, Dr. Julia Khodor, Dr. Michelle Mischke
Prior Knowledge: None
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Exam Questions

Document PDF
Problem 3 (page 7)

Gene regulation in an operon as controlled by inducers and repressors.

Instructors: Prof. Penny Chisholm, Prof. Graham Walker, Dr. Julia Khodor, Dr. Michelle Mischke
Prior Knowledge: None
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Document PDF
Problem 9 (page 14)

Gene regulation in an operon controlled by a repressor. Mutations in the genes or regulatory components within the operon that affect gene regulation.

Instructors: Prof. Penny Chisholm, Prof. Graham Walker, Dr. Julia Khodor, Dr. Michelle Mischke
Prior Knowledge: None
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