Gene Expression & Regulation

Flashcards about Gene Expression and Regulation.

Gene Expression

The process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product.

Cell Differentiation

A process of specialization in form & function during development.

Operon

Section of a prokaryote’s DNA that contains a “set” of genes, typically genes produce products involved in the same biochemical pathway or that have a similar function

Promoter (P)

DNA sequence where polymerase binds upstream of genes

Operator (O)

DNA sequence where repressors bind and reduce transcription

Regulatory Gene (I)

DNA sequence where activators bind, help RNA polymerase bind promoter, and increase transcription

Inducible Operon

Default is “off” but can be turned “on” by an activator

Repressible Operon

Default is “on” but can be turned “off” by a repressor

Repressors

Suppress transcription and thus gene expression

Activators

Increase transcription and thus gene expression

Inducers/corepressors

Small molecules that bind an activator or repressor

Lac Operon

An inducible operon regulated by regulators that can either activate OR repress transcription depending on cell’s internal environment

Trp Operon

A repressible operon that is on by default, but regulated by a repressor and dependent on cell’s internal environment

Catabolite Activator Protein (CAP)

An activation inducer for the lac operon that binds with cyclic AMP (cAMP) to form a complex

Epigenetic stage

Chemical modification during DNA packaging

Transcriptional stage

Initiation and rate regulation

Post-transcriptional stage

Alternative splicing

Translational stage

Initiation regulation

Post-translational stage

Protein modification