Structural Genes

Structural genes are DNA sequences that encode functional proteins or RNA molecules, providing the molecular components needed to build and operate cells. When activated by regulatory elements, they are transcribed into messenger RNA and translated by ribosomes into proteins such as enzymes, receptors, and cytoskeletal components; some structural genes produce functional noncoding RNA instead. Their expression patterns influence cell structure, metabolism, development, and responses to environmental signals. Studying structural genes helps researchers interpret mutations, map genetic pathways, investigate gene regulation, and understand how altered protein production contributes to inherited disorders, cancer, and other biological conditions.

Structural Genes - Related Videos

Education

JoVE Core - Cell Biology

Structure of a Gene

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2025

A gene is the fundamental unit of heredity. Every individual has two copies of each gene, one inherited from each parent. Although most people contain the same genes, there is a small fraction that is slightly different amongst people. A gene with a small difference in its sequence of DNA bases forms different alleles, contributing to different phenotypes. However, only 1% of the DNA is composed of genes that encode proteins; the rest, 99% is non-coding DNA. This non-coding DNA performs...

Prokaryotic Gene Structure and Organization

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2025

Prokaryotic genomes exhibit a streamlined organization of coding and non-coding regions essential for gene expression and protein synthesis. While coding regions contain the genetic instructions for proteins or functional RNAs, non-coding regions regulate the precise transcription and translation of these genes.Coding Regions: Proteins and RNAsThe primary coding regions, known as structural genes, include sequences transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) and ultimately translated into...

Research

JoVE Journal - Immunology and Infection
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Multi-target Parallel Processing Approach for Gene-to-structure Determination of the Influenza Polymerase PB2 Subunit

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Cited by 3 •

2013

Structure-based drug design plays an important role in drug development. Pursuing multiple targets in parallel greatly increases the chance of success for lead discovery. The following article highlights how the Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease utilizes a multi-target approach for gene-to-structure determination of the PB2 influenza A subunit.

What is Gene Expression?

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2019

Overview Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors. Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...

Education

JoVE Core - Molecular Biology
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Gene Conversion

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2020

Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...

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