Gene Expression Control I Flashcards
What is RNA sequencing?
Every single RNA ina
cell is isolated from cells and sequenced
What is beta-actin?
A major component of the cell cytoskeleton and is expressed in all cells
What is tyrosine aminotransferase?
Enzyme that is only expressed in liver hepatocytes.
What does constitutively expressed?
The gene is always on
What can happen to genes before and after differentiation?
Some genes are turned on
Some genes are turned off
Some genes are constitutively expressed
Does RNA differences indicate protein differences?
No, RNA expressed in a cell does not always reflect large difference in protein expression in the cell. Proteins can be modified after they are expressed.
What percentage of genes are expressed in a typical human cell?
30 - 60%
What factors influence gene expression?
Signals:
Cell-cell contact
Hormones
Morphogens
Transcription factors
What are morphogens?
Molecules that specify cellular identity: Concentration of these is important.
Many morphogens are transcription factors
What are transcription factors?
Proteins which bind to regulatory elements of a gene. They control transcription and are often activated in response to external stimuli.
2 main catergories; general or tissue/cell specific.
Where in the promoter region do transcription factors bind?
Assembly of transcription factors and transcription machinery occurs in the TATA box.
What are the levels of regulation of gene expression?
DNA -> RNA (transcription control)
RNA processing to mRNA control
mRNA transport and localization control
Translation control
mRNA degradation control
Protein activity control
What is the primary means of regulating gene expression?
Transcriptional control.
cis-acting control elements regulate transcription
What are promoters?
Sequences that determine the transcription start site and direct binding of RNA pol II
What do enhancers and repressors do?
They help regulate a particular gene and are often tissue specific and function only in specific diffrentiated cell types