1.2 regulation of gene expression by transcription factors

Transcription Factors

Proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences to regulate gene expression.

Pol II

RNA polymerase II, the enzyme responsible for transcribing structural and regulatory genes.

mRNA

Messenger RNA, the RNA molecule that conveys genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

Enhancers

DNA sequences that enhance the transcription of a gene, often bound by transcription factors.

5’ UTR

5' untranslated region; a segment of mRNA that is upstream of the coding region and not translated into protein.

3’ UTR

3' untranslated region; a segment of mRNA that is downstream of the coding region and not translated into protein.

cAMP

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate, a second messenger important in many biological processes.

Phosphorylation

The addition of a phosphate group to a molecule, often used to activate or deactivate proteins.

Gene Expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, usually protein.

CRE pathway

A signaling pathway that links cellular responses to activating stimuli through the activation of cAMP or Ca2+.

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)

A transcription factor that responds to low oxygen levels and regulates the expression of genes involved in metabolism.

PolyA Tail

A stretch of adenine nucleotides added to the 3’ end of mRNA, enhancing its stability.

Enhancesome

A complex of transcription factors that assist RNA polymerase II in transcription initiation.

Nuclear Receptor Superfamily

A group of transcription factors that respond to hormones and other signaling molecules.

Response Elements

Specific sequences within a gene's promoter region to which transcription factors bind to regulate expression.

Consensus Sequences

Nucleotide sequences that are conserved among different genes and are recognized by specific transcription factors.

Genomic Plasticity

The ability of the genome to adapt its expression in response to changes in the environment.

Transcriptional Regulation

The process of controlling the rate and timing of gene expression.

Structural Genes

Genes that code for proteins that are used in the structure and function of the organism.

Regulatory Genes

Genes that produce products (usually RNA or proteins) that regulate the expression of other genes.

Cortisol

A steroid hormone that regulates a wide range of processes including metabolism and immune response.

RNA polymerases

Enzymes responsible for synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.