Gene regulation
Gene Regulation
Gene regulation (pronunciation: /dʒiːn rɛgjʊˈleɪʃən/) is the process by which cells control the amount and timing of protein production. This is achieved by controlling the rate of gene expression, which is the process by which information from a gene is used to create a functional product, usually a protein.
Etymology
The term "gene regulation" is derived from the English words "gene", which comes from the Greek word "genos" meaning race or kind, and "regulation", which comes from the Latin word "regulare" meaning to control or direct.
Process
Gene regulation can occur at any point during gene expression, but most commonly occurs at the level of transcription. This is when the gene's DNA sequence is copied into a molecule of messenger RNA (mRNA). Other points of regulation include RNA splicing, translation, and post-translational modification of a protein.
Mechanisms
There are several mechanisms by which gene regulation can occur. These include:
- Transcription factors: These are proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences, controlling the flow of information from DNA to mRNA.
- Epigenetic regulation: This involves changes to the physical structure of DNA, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, which can influence gene expression.
- RNA interference: This is a process where small RNA molecules can interfere with the translation of mRNA.
Related Terms
- Operon: A functioning unit of genomic DNA containing a cluster of genes under the control of a single regulatory signal or promoter.
- Promoter (genetics): A region of DNA that initiates transcription of a particular gene.
- Enhancer (genetics): A short region of DNA that can be bound by proteins to increase the likelihood of transcription of a particular gene.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gene regulation
- Wikipedia's article - Gene regulation
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