How Proteins Are Made

Enhancer Sequences

short DNA sequences that increase the likelihood of transcription of a specific gene. They can be located far from the gene they regulate and work by binding to transcription factors, which help recruit the transcription machinery to the gene

Transcription factors

proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences (such as promoters and enhancers) to regulate gene expression. They can either activate or repress transcription by helping or hindering the binding of RNA polymerase to the gene

Promoters

regions of DNA located near the start of a gene that serve as binding sites for RNA polymerase and transcription factors. They are essential for initiating transcription of the gene.

Mediator Proteins

Mediator proteins are part of a large complex that acts as a bridge between transcription factors and the RNA polymerase machinery. They help facilitate the communication between enhancer-bound transcription factors and the promoter to initiate gene transcription.

RNA polymerase II

the eukaryotic enzyme that synthesizes precursor mRNA (and many noncoding RNAs) from a DNA template during transcription

Silencer sequences

repressor transcription factors bind to silencer DNA sequences to inhibit gene expression

SRP aka signal recognition particle

required for translocation process from cytosol to ER to identify signal sequence at start of polypeptide chain; helps traffic the protein to the ER

Autocrine signaling

a cell signals itself

Endocrine signaling

hormonal secretions via blood

Paracrine signaling

signaling between neighbor cells using chemicals (chemical synapse/neurotransmitters)

Juxtracrine signaling

direct contact signaling between neighboring cells (electrical synapse)

3 Reasons why a neuron might need HAT/HDAC:

synaptic plasticity

epigenetic regulation

response to stress/injury