DNApackagi.ppt

Organization of DNA Viral DNA (and in some, RNA) Some circular, some linear Some double stranded, some single stranded Very small amount, packed very tightly Small size is an advantage Viruses use host cell enzymes, need few genes Bacterial DNA Usually single copy of double stranded Usually circular Eukaryotic DNA: linear, in several pieces DNA packaging Protein packaging of DNA Four proteins in E. coli Make up 10% of total protein of cell HU for wrapping; FIS and IHF for bending; HNS for compaction. Same function as histone proteins in eukaryotes. Positively charged proteins bind to negatively charged DNA. End result: nucleoid, a region in the cytoplasm rich in DNA and protein; comparable to a nucleus but without a membrane. DNA of E. coli is supercoiled In addition to being packaged with proteins, the DNA of E. coli is supercoiled. Supercoiling. DNA could be “relaxed” or supercoiled. In Eubacteria, DNA is “underwound” (negatively supercoiled); Supercoiling carried out by topoisomerases. Example: gyrase, that relieves stress during DNA replication. Two types, depending on whether 1 or two DNA strands are cut (and repaired) in the process. Supercoiling Packaging of E. coli DNA The enslaved bacteria Mitochondria and chloroplasts thought to have originated as prokaryotic endosymbionts in early eukaryotes Carry out respiratory functions in membrane DNA is circular, ds DNA like in prokaryotes Self replicating Have their own ribosomes, similar to bacterial Organelle DNA discovered from mutations Some traits not determined by nuclear genes Inheritance via mother; ovum has all the cytoplasm Integration of organelles is thorough Mitochondria: Replication requires nuclear genes Polymerases, initiation factors, respiratory proteins are multi-subunit proteins Several of the subunits for each are nuclear, others are mitochondrial Chloroplasts Multi-subunit enzymes jointly encoded Genes for RuBP carboxylase divided between nucleus and chloroplast Polytene chromosomes DNA pac