Main Ways Protein Expression Is Regulated in a Cell

What is the primary means of regulating gene expression in eukaryotic cells?

Transcriptional control is the main method used to regulate gene expression in eukaryotes.

How do eukaryotic transcription activators and repressors regulate expression?

They bind to co-activators or co-repressors that alter chromatin structure or interact with RNA polymerase II and general transcription factors.

How are transcription factors themselves regulated?

Their activity is regulated indirectly through cell-surface receptor signaling pathways and hormone-receptor interactions that alter their ability to bind DNA or activate transcription.

What additional layer of control affects transcription beyond transcription factors?

Epigenetic regulation such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and maintenance by Polycomb and Trithorax complexes.