Gene expression

Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product. These products are often proteins, but in non-protein coding genes such as transfer RNA (tRNA) or small nuclear RNA (snRNA) genes, the product is a functional RNA.

Overview

The process of gene expression involves two main stages:

• Transcription: the production of messenger RNA (mRNA) from DNA.
• Translation: the production of proteins from mRNA.

Gene expression is controlled by the cell's machinery, the gene's sequence, and the abundance and accessibility of ribosomes. Errors in gene expression can lead to diseases like cancer and many genetic disorders.

Regulation of Gene Expression

Regulation of gene expression includes a wide range of mechanisms that are used by cells to increase or decrease the production of specific gene products. Regulation of gene expression can also serve as a basis for cellular differentiation, the formation of a multicellular organism from a single fertilized egg.

Gene Expression and Disease

Changes in the expression of certain genes can lead to diseases. For example, in some cancers, certain genes are 'switched off' or genes may be expressed at the wrong time or in the wrong cell type. This can result in the production of proteins that are not needed by the cell, or the 'switching off' of genes that are needed for cell growth and development.

See Also

• Gene
• Protein
• Transcription
• Translation
• Regulation of gene expression
• Cellular differentiation
• Cancer
• Genetic disorder

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