Name: cell-specific gene expression in development
Uploaded: 2023-04-30T18:28:46.000Z
Duration: 1 min 58 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

north-carolina-k-12-science-standard-course-of-study

NC K-12 Science Standard Course of Study

9-12

Biology

from-molecules-to-organisms-structures-and-processes

From Molecules to Organisms- Structures and Processes

LS.Bio.1.5

Cell Specific Gene Expression

Every cell in the body of a multicellular organism possesses the same DNA; however, different cell types have notable structural and functional differences which can be attributed to the differential expression of genes in the cell.&#160;
Additionally, specific cells express different genes over time due to changes in the cell or organism. The variety of RNA and proteins produced enables cells to carry out their unique functions at the appropriate times.
Liver cells, called hepatocytes, express a different set of genes compared to neurons.
For example, liver cells produce alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme that breaks down toxic alcohols into acetaldehyde, which then can further be metabolized to produce carbon dioxide and water.&#160;&#160;
In contrast, neurons produce neurexins, a group of proteins in the brain that helps transmit information from one neuron to an adjacent one.&#160;
Cells have mechanisms to control gene expression at multiple regulatory steps before, during, and after transcription and translation. However, transcriptional regulators are common because it prevents the synthesis of mRNA transcripts.&#160;&#160;
During liver development in humans, the transcription factors C/EBP &#945;, C/EBP &#946;, and

cell specific gene expression

Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with the stages of development. Prior to differentiation into liver cells, the cells express genes involved in the cell cycle, DNA replication, and proliferation. Later in development, genes involved in epithelial differentiation and blood coagulation are highly expressed. Once cells differentiate into hepatocytes, the expression of genes involved in liver-specific functions increases, such as those involved in lipid metabolism and cholesterol regulation.
Gene expression can be regulated at many points including transcription, translation, RNA processing and transport, and post-translational modifications. Common methods of regulating expression are factors that bind directly to DNA to regulate the transcription of a particular gene. Gene expression in the liver can be regulated by the transcription factors C/EBP&#945;, C/EBP&#946;, and Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-1, among others. Regulation can occur prior to transcription by altering the histones contained in chromatin. These modifications result in either loosening or tightening of the DNA structure, thereby respectively preventing or allowing transcriptional regulators to access the DNA.&#160; Different cell types have different covalent modifications and histone variants, which results in the variation in gene accessibility.
Cells are subject to environmental changes and express different genes in response to these extracellular stimuli. Glucose is an important source of energy, and as its concentration in the bloodstream fluctuates, an organism must respond with appropriate changes in gene and protein expression. When blood glucose levels decrease, the pancreas secretes the hormone glucagon. This hormone signals the liver to initiate the production of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), a protein required to produce glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors. Glucagon induces the transcription of this gene by indirectly stimulating transcription factors&#160; C/EBP&#945; and C/EBP&#946; to bind to the PEPCK promoter. When blood glucose levels are high, the pancreas secretes the hormone insulin; the PEPCK gene has an insulin-responsive sequence that inhibits its transcription.

Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same ...

Education

JoVE Core

Cell Biology

Unit 1

Control of Gene Expression

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

cell-specific gene expression in development

Cell-specific gene expression helps explain how different cells make different proteins, even when they contain the same DNA. This process is central to development and to the way specialized tissues form.

Gene expression is controlled by regulatory signals that turn particular genes on or off in specific cells. As a result, one cell can follow a different molecular program from another cell in the same organism. These differences help create the variety of cell types needed for normal function.

Cell-specific expression is often discussed in terms of tissue and organ development, because groups of cells must activate the right genes at the right time. Studying this pattern shows how cells become specialized and how gene control shapes biological structure. It also helps students connect DNA information with the traits seen in living organisms.

Cell-Specific Gene Expression in Development

cell-specific-gene-expression-in-development

Cell-specific gene expression helps explain how different cells make different proteins, even when they contain the same DNA. This process is central to development and to the way specialized tissues form. Gene expression is controlled by regulatory signals that turn particular genes on or off in specific cells. As a result, one cell can follow a different molecular program from another cell in the same organism. These differences help create the variety of cell types needed for normal...

regulation of expression occurs at multiple steps

regulation-of-expression-occurs-at-multiple-steps

Gene Expression Control at Every Stage

Gene expression control happens at several stages. Cells can change when a gene is active and how much product it makes. This regulation helps the cell respond to changing needs. One major control point is transcription. In eukaryotes, transcription can be regulated before it starts. It can also be regulated while it is already underway. These steps help determine whether a gene is copied into RNA. Cells can also regulate expression after transcription. The RNA may be processed, moved, or...

cis-regulatory sequences

DNA Switches That Control Gene Expression

Cis-regulatory sequences are DNA switches that help control gene expression. They do not code for proteins. Instead, they can turn nearby genes on or off and help determine when a gene is active. These sequences include promoters and enhancers. They are often found near the genes they regulate, and their effect depends on where they are in the genome. Because they work through DNA itself, they help cells control which genes are used in different situations. Cis-regulatory sequences are an...

cooperative binding of transcription regulators

cooperative-binding-of-transcription-regulators

How Transcription Regulators Work Together

Transcription regulators can bind cooperatively to control gene expression. In cooperative binding, the binding of one regulator can make it easier for another regulator to bind nearby DNA. This shared effect helps cells fine-tune when genes are turned on or off. The topic also connects to how regulators interact with each other and with DNA. These interactions can strengthen binding at a target site. They can also change how strongly a gene is controlled in a specific cell or condition. <br...

prokaryotic transcriptional activators and repressors

prokaryotic-transcriptional-activators-and-repressors

How Prokaryotic Gene Regulators Work

Prokaryotic gene regulators control transcription by helping or blocking RNA polymerase. Activators and repressors are two main types of regulatory proteins that influence whether a gene is expressed. These proteins let bacteria adjust gene activity in response to changing conditions. Activators help transcription start. They bind to specific DNA sequences near a promoter, which is the region where RNA polymerase begins transcription. By making RNA polymerase bind more easily, activators...

the eukaryotic promoter region

Promoter Sequences in Eukaryotes

Eukaryotic promoter sequences control where transcription begins. A promoter is a DNA region that helps start gene expression. In eukaryotes, this region is usually found upstream of the gene it regulates. The promoter contains specific DNA sequences that can bind proteins needed for transcription. These sequences help position RNA polymerase at the correct start site. They also help determine whether a gene is turned on at the right time and in the right cell type. Eukaryotic promoters can...

co-activators and co-repressors

Gene Regulation by Co-activators and Co-repressors

Co-activators and co-repressors help control gene expression. They do not usually bind DNA themselves. Instead, they work with transcription factors to change how strongly a gene is turned on or off. Co-activators support transcription. They help transcription factors and RNA polymerase work together, which can increase gene expression. Co-repressors do the opposite. They help reduce transcription and lower gene expression. These proteins are important because cells need precise control over...

master transcription regulators

Master Transcription Regulators in Gene Control

Master transcription regulators help control when genes turn on and off. These proteins sit at the top of gene regulation networks and shape how cells respond to signals. In many cases, they act early in development and influence which cell types form. These regulators bind DNA and affect transcription, which is the first step in making RNA from a gene. By turning transcription on or off, they can change the levels of many downstream genes at once. That broad effect makes them important for...

regulated mrna transport

mRNA Localization During Cell Control

mRNA localization helps cells move messenger RNA to specific places before proteins are made. This process is regulated, so the cell can control when and where a protein is produced. Messenger RNA, or mRNA, carries genetic instructions from DNA to the protein-making machinery. By transporting mRNA to a defined location, a cell can keep protein production focused where it is needed most. Regulated mRNA transport is an important part of this control. It links the movement of RNA with later...

mrna stability and gene expression

mRNA Degradation and Protein Output

mRNA degradation helps control how much protein a cell makes. Messenger RNA, or mRNA, carries the genetic message from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are built. When mRNA stays intact longer, it can be used more often. When it breaks down faster, protein production drops. Cells regulate mRNA stability with cis-acting elements. These are sequences within the mRNA itself that influence how long the message lasts. They can affect whether the mRNA is protected or targeted for decay. This...

micrornas

How miRNA Silences Genes

MicroRNA (miRNA) is a short regulatory RNA that helps control gene expression. It is transcribed from introns, which are non-coding parts of a gene, or from intergenic regions, which are stretches of DNA between genes. miRNA begins as a longer primary transcript and must go through several processing steps before it becomes active. The first transcript, called primary miRNA or pri-mRNA, folds back on itself to form a stem-loop structure. In the nucleus, the endonuclease Drosha shortens this...

small interfering rnas (sirna)

siRNA in Gene Silencing

Small interfering RNA, or siRNA, is a short RNA molecule that helps silence genes. It works after a gene has been copied into RNA, making it part of post-transcriptional gene silencing. Scientists study siRNA because it shows how cells can control which genetic messages are used. siRNA acts by guiding the cell to destroy a matching RNA message. This lowers the amount of protein that can be made from that message. The process is specific, because the siRNA must match the target RNA sequence...

lncrna - long non-coding rnas

Long Non-coding RNAs in Cell Control

Long non-coding RNAs, or lncRNAs, are RNA molecules that do not code for proteins. Instead, they can help control how genes are used in cells. This makes them important regulators of cell behavior. lncRNAs can work in several ways. Some influence chromatin modification, which changes how tightly DNA is packed and how easy it is for genes to be turned on or off. Others help guide the process of cell differentiation, when unspecialized cells develop into more specific cell types. Because of...

epigenetic regulation

DNA Methylation and X Inactivation

DNA methylation and X-chromosome inactivation help control which genes are turned on or off. These epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of DNA without changing the DNA sequence. They help each cell make only the proteins it needs. For example, bone growth proteins are not made in muscle cells. Epigenetic control is important for normal development. It also helps cells keep the right patterns of gene activity. When these controls fail, diseases can develop. Cancer is one example, but...

key terms and concepts

Learn how cell-specific gene expression controls which genes are active in different cells and how this helps create specialized tissues during development.

Cell-Specific Gene Expression in Development | JoVE K12

cell biology

JoVE Core Cell Biology illustrates complex cellular processes in easy-to-understand yet comprehensive animated video lessons. This collection focuses on the essential components and functions of cells, including organelles and membranes, cellular transport, and cell energetics. It is complemented by scientist-in-action videos that demonstrate the application of cell biology in real-world research experiments.

Alabama Course of Study Science

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Cell-Specific Gene Expression in Development

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