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Lecture 2 Properties and functions of nucleic acids

Lecture 2 Properties and functions of nucleic acids. Reference: Chapter 28 (2e) or 29 (3e) Biochemistry by Voet and Voet. BB10006 – MVH. learning objectives. 1) Understand the C-value paradox? 2) Be able to describe how the different helical topologies of DNA contribute to packing?

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Lecture 2 Properties and functions of nucleic acids

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  1. Lecture 2 Properties and functions of nucleic acids Reference: Chapter 28 (2e) or 29 (3e) Biochemistry by Voet and Voet BB10006 – MVH

  2. learning objectives 1) Understand the C-value paradox? 2) Be able to describe how the different helical topologies of DNA contribute to packing? 3) Understand the factors that contribute to the stability of the DNA double helix? 4) Appreciate the diverse functions of nucleic acids

  3. Lecture 2: Outline C-value paradox DNA topology and function Factors that stabilise DNA a) denaturation and renaturation b) Sugar-phosphate chain conformations c) Base pairing and base stacking d) hydrophobic and ionic interactions Functions of nucleic acids

  4. Size of nucleic acids Largest known mammalian gene is Dystrophin gene (DMD) 2.5 Mbp (0.1% of the genome) DNA molecules tend to be larger than RNA

  5. genome sizes organism Number of base pairs(kb) viruses Lambda bacteriophage ( λ)48.6 bacteria Eschericia coli 4,640 eukaryotes Yeast 13,500 Drosophila 165,000 Human 3.3 x 106

  6. Comparative genome sizes Why is there a discrepancy between genome size and genetic complexity?

  7. C-value paradox Due to the presence of Repetitive DNA (nonfunctional?) Repetitive DNA families constitute nearly one-half of genome (~52%) Protein domains contribute to organism complexity

  8. Topology of DNA DNA supercoiling: coiling of a coil Important feature in all chromosomes Allows packing / unpacking of DNA Supercoiled DNA moves faster than relaxed DNA

  9. negatively supercoiled (right handed) • Results from under or unwinding • Important in DNA packing/unpacking e.g during replication/transcription • positively supercoiled (left handed) • Results from overwinding • Also packs DNA but difficult to unwind

  10. Why does a plasmid that has never been cut give more than one band on a gel? Full length linear Relaxed circle supercoiled EBr

  11. Forces stabilising nucleic acid structures Applications in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) A) Denaturation and renaturation of DNA

  12. Denaturation of DNA Also called melting Occurs abruptly at certain temperatures Tm – temp at which half the helical structure is lost

  13. DNA melting curve

  14. Tm varies according to the GC content High GC content - high Tm GC rich regions tend to be gene rich

  15. Renaturation of DNA Also called annealing Occurs ~ 25oC below Tm Property used in PCR and hybridisation techniques

  16. Forces stabilising nucleic acid structures B) Sugar-phosphate chain conformations

  17. position on N-glycosidic linkage Sugar ring pucker C2’ or C3’ pucker Endo conformation (same side as C5’) B-DNA is C2’ endo Fig: 28-18 Voet and Voet

  18. Forces stabilising nucleic acid structures Holds together double stranded nucleic acids Hydrogen bonds do not stabilise DNA C) Base pairing

  19. Watson-Crick base pairing Hoogsteen base pairing

  20. Forces stabilising nucleic acid structures D) Base stacking and hydrophobic interactions

  21. Under aqueous conditions, Bases aggregate due to the stacking of planar molecules This stacking is stabilised by hydrophobic forces

  22. Forces stabilising nucleic acid structures Tm of a DNA duplex increases with cationic concentration Caused by electrostatic shielding of anionic phosphate groups e.g. Mg 2+ more effective than Na+ E) Ionic interactions

  23. Functions of nucleic acids 1) Storage of genetic information 2) Storage of chemical energy e.g. ATP 3) Form part of coenzymes e.g. NAD+, NADP+, FAD and coenzyme A 4) Act as second messengers in signal transduction e.g. cAMP

  24. Functions of nucleic acids 1) Storage of genetic information

  25. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) DNA is the hereditary molecule in almost all cellular life forms. It has 2 main functions • replication(making 2 copies of the genome) before every cell division • transcription: process of copying a portion of DNA gene sequence into a single stranded messenger RNA (mRNA)

  26. RNA (ribonucleic acid) Has a more varied role. 4 main types of RNA are • mRNA: directs the ribosomal synthesis of polypeptides and other types of RNA (translation) • Ribosomal RNA: have structural & functional roles • Transfer RNA: deliver amino acids during protein synthesis • Ribonucleoproteins: take part in post transcriptional processing

  27. Functions of nucleic acids 2) Storage of chemical energy e.g. ATP

  28. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) Involved in 1) Early stages of nutrient breakdown 2) Physiological processes 3) Interconversionof nucleoside triphosphates

  29. Functions of nucleic acids 3) Form part of coenzymes e.g. NAD+, NADP+, FAD and coenzyme A

  30. CoA (coenzyme A)

  31. Functions of nucleic acids 4) Act as second messengers in signal transduction e.g. cAMP

  32. cAMP (cyclic Adenosine Mono Phosphate) • Primary intracellular signalling molecule (second messenger system) • Glycogen metabolism • cAMP dependent kinase (cAPK) • Gluconeogenesis • Fatty acid metabolism - thermogenesis

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