Regulation of Gene Expression

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the regulation of gene expression, including processes, definitions, and types of mutations.

Differential Gene Expression

The process by which different genes are actively transcribed in different cells, resulting in varied sets of proteins.

Gene Regulation

The tightly controlled and complex process of regulating which genes are transcribed to produce RNA and proteins.

Chromatin Remodeling

The process of changing the packing of chromatin, which can either condense or decondense DNA, impacting gene accessibility.

DNA Methylation

The addition of methyl groups to DNA regions to prevent transcription of nearby genes, an example of epigenetic alteration.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that recognize specific DNA sequences and bind directly to the DNA to regulate transcription.

Activator Proteins

Proteins that bind to enhancer regions to promote transcription.

Repressor Proteins

Proteins that bind to silencer regions to inhibit transcription.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that binds to the promoter region of DNA to initiate transcription.

TATA Box

A DNA sequence within the promoter region that is recognized and bound by RNA polymerase.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs)

Small RNA molecules that regulate mRNA stability and translation, preventing mRNA from being translated.

Small Interfering RNA (siRNA)

Small RNA strands that bind to target mRNAs and facilitate their degradation or translation blocking.

Point Mutations

Changes in the base sequence of DNA that can alter the amino acid sequence of proteins.

Silent Mutation

A mutation that changes the nucleotide sequence without altering the amino acid specified by the codon.

Missense Mutation

A mutation that results in a change in the amino acid specified by a codon.

Nonsense Mutation

A mutation that creates an early stop codon in the protein coding sequence.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation caused by the addition or deletion of nucleotides, shifting the reading frame and altering subsequent codons.

Regulatory Transcription Factors

Proteins that assist RNA polymerase in initiating transcription at the promoter region.

Enhancer Regions

Regions of DNA that, when bound by activator proteins, enhance the transcription of associated genes.

Silencer Regions

Regions of DNA that, when bound by repressor proteins, inhibit the transcription of associated genes.

Epigenetic Alteration

Changes that affect gene activation without altering the base sequence of the gene.