Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes

Flashcards covering the vocabulary and key concepts of gene regulation in eukaryotes based on lecture notes.

Gene regulation

The process by which genes are turned on or off to control gene expression across different stages of development.

Transcription factors

Proteins that influence the ability of RNA polymerase to transcribe a given gene.

Activator

A regulatory protein that increases the rate of transcription.

Repressor

A regulatory protein that decreases the rate of transcription.

Enhancer

A sequence that an activator protein binds to in order to increase transcription.

Silencer

A sequence that a repressor protein binds to in order to decrease transcription.

Cis regulatory elements

Sequences located near the core promoter that control gene expression.

Combinatorial control

A regulatory mechanism where multiple proteins interact to influence the transcription of a gene.

Chromatin remodeling

Dynamic changes in chromatin structure that affect the accessibility of DNA for transcription.

Histone modifications

Chemical changes to histone proteins that can affect gene expression by altering chromatin structure.

Small RNAs

Molecules, including miRNAs and siRNAs, that can silence the translation of mRNA.

Histone code

The pattern of modifications to histone proteins that regulates gene expression.

Nuclear receptor

A type of transcription factor that responds to steroid hormones, affecting gene transcription.

Nucleosome-free region (NFR)

Regions at the beginning and end of many genes where nucleosomes are absent, allowing for transcription initiation.

Preinitiation complex

The assembly of general transcription factors and RNA polymerase II at the core promoter, necessary for transcription to start.