Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes

Gene Expression

Process of synthesizing RNAs and proteins from genes.

Differentiation

Specialization of cells into distinct types.

Mass Spectrometry

Technique to analyze total protein content in cells.

Transcription Regulation

Controls which genes are transcribed into RNA.

Transcriptional Control

Regulation of gene expression at transcription stage.

RNA Processing Control

Modifications of RNA before translation occurs.

Translational Control

Regulation of protein synthesis from mRNA.

RNA Transport Localization

Movement of RNA to specific cellular locations.

Protein Activity Control

Regulation of protein function after synthesis.

Protein Degradation Control

Regulation of protein breakdown in cells.

Promoters

DNA sequences where transcription begins.

Regulatory DNA Sequences

DNA regions that control gene expression.

Transcription Regulators

Proteins that bind to regulatory sequences.

Operons

Clusters of genes transcribed together in bacteria.

Tryptophan Operon

Operon regulated by tryptophan levels.

Transcriptional Repressor

Protein that inhibits gene transcription.

Transcriptional Activator

Protein that promotes gene transcription.

Enhancers

DNA elements that increase transcription rates.

Mediator Complex

Protein complex that facilitates transcription initiation.

Nucleosomes

DNA-protein complexes that package DNA.

Chromatin Remodeling

Modification of chromatin structure to regulate transcription.

Histone Acetyltransferase

Enzyme that adds acetyl groups to histones.

Histone Deacetylases

Enzymes that remove acetyl groups from histones.

Combinatorial Control

Interaction of multiple regulators to control gene expression.

Cell Memory

Ability of cells to maintain identity over generations.

Positive Feedback Loop

Master regulator activates its own transcription.

DNA Methylation

Modification that represses gene expression.

Noncoding RNAs

RNAs that regulate gene expression without coding proteins.

MicroRNAs

Small RNAs that regulate mRNA translation.

RNA Interference (RNAi)

Mechanism to silence gene expression via small RNAs.

CRISPR

Bacterial defense mechanism against viral DNA.

Long Noncoding RNAs

Regulatory RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides.

Xist

Key regulator in X chromosome inactivation.