Gene Regulation

Flashcards covering key concepts related to gene regulation, including mechanisms of transcriptional control, gene regulatory proteins, and examples in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Gene Regulation

The process of controlling gene expression, which affects protein production in cells

Transcriptional Control

The primary level of control for protein production, involving gene regulatory proteins.

Gene Regulatory Proteins

Proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences to control the transcription of genes.

Repressors

Turns genes off by hindering RNA polymerase activity

Activators

help turn genes on my assisting in the recruitment of RNA polymerase

Lac Operon

A cluster of genes in E. coli controlled by a single promoter, involved in lactose metabolism.

Eukaryotic Gene Expression

More complex than prokaryotic, involving numerous factors for transcription and additional regulatory mechanisms.

Transcription Factors

Proteins required for RNA polymerase to bind to a promoter.

Enhancer Sequences

That regulatory factors bind to for transcription control

MyoD Gene

A master regulatory gene involved in muscle cell production.

Pax6 Gene

A gene involved in eye development.

DNA Packing

higher levels of DNA packing and condensation decreases transcription levels

Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR)

Activation influences the expression of specific gens in particular cell types

Factors influencing the operon

repressor presence = activates when there is no lactose

activator= requires glucose to be absent for lactose utilization in E. coli metabolism.

Combinatorial Control

use of multiple regulatory proteins to fine tune gene expression