DNA - protein journey controlled by activator
8 Dec 2008 by Evoluted New Media
Scientists at Imperial College have announced the discovery of specialist activator proteins that start the process of converting the genes in DNA into proteins.
Scientists at Imperial College have announced the discovery of specialist activator proteins that start the process of converting the genes in DNA into proteins.
The main author of the paper, Professor Xiaodong Zhang, from the Division of Molecular Biosciences said: “Understanding how the RNA polymerase gene transcription ‘machine’ is activated, and how it is stalled from working when it is not needed, gives us a better insight than ever before into the inner workings of cells, and the complex processes that occur to facilitate the carefully regulated production of proteins”.
The process of conversion of a gene, or genetic code, to a protein requires the transcription of a sequence of DNA to a corresponding length of mRNA, and the activation of an enzyme called RNA polymerase. Studying gene transcription in bacterial cells with electron microscopy techniques, the researchers have identified an activator protein that modifies RNA polymerase, effectively removing a plug that stops automatic construction of mRNA from DNA. The same activator protein causes the DNA strands to uncoil and separate so that the DNA coding for a particular gene is exposed and can be accessed so DNA can line up with RNA polymerase ready for transcription to begin.
Cells produce particular proteins at different times in their lives to help them respond and adapt to their environment, and understanding the mechanism for bacterial protein synthesis may give an insight in their ability to survive and become so easily resistant to antibacterial drugs.
By Georgina Lavender
