7.6
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. T…
Cells precisely regulate gene expression during transcription, mRNA processing, and translation.
Transcriptional regulation can be mediated by proteins that bind regulatory sequences on DNA to inhibit or initiate the transcription of a specific gene.
Precursor mRNAs generated by transcription are modified by the addition of a 5-prime cap and a 3-prime poly-A tail. The mRNAs undergo splicing, where the non-coding regions are removed and the coding ones are joined to produce mature mRNAs. Differential splicing patterns and RNA-binding proteins regulate gene expression at this stage.
Only those mRNAs that associate with RNA-binding proteins to form ribonucleoprotein particles are selectively transported to the cytoplasm for translation.
Translational regulation can be specific, where inhibition of translation of a particular mRNA subset is controlled through interactions with proteins, microRNAs, and short-interfering or siRNAs.
In contrast, general translational regulation activates or inhibits proteins of the translation machinery to affect all transcripts.
View the full transcript and gain access to JoVE Core videos
Q1: How do transcription factors control gene expression?
Transcription factors are regulatory proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences to initiate or inhibit transcription of particular genes. By controlling whether RNA polymerase can access and transcribe a gene, these proteins determine which genes are expressed in a cell. This transcriptional regulation is a primary mechanism cells use to precisely control gene expression.
Q2: What modifications occur to precursor mRNA after transcription?
Precursor mRNA undergoes post-transcriptional modification including addition of a 5-prime cap and 3-prime poly-A tail. The mRNA also undergoes splicing, where non-coding regions called introns are removed and coding regions called exons are joined together. These modifications produce mature mRNA ready for translation into protein.
Q3: Why do some mRNAs get transported to the cytoplasm while others remain in the nucleus?
Only mature mRNAs that associate with RNA-binding proteins to form ribonucleoprotein particles are selectively transported to the cytoplasm for translation. mRNAs that do not bind these proteins remain in the nucleus and are not translated. This selective transport mechanism allows cells to regulate which proteins are synthesized by controlling mRNA availability.
Q4: How do microRNAs regulate gene expression?
When a mature mRNA binds a complementary microRNA, the mRNA undergoes degradation, preventing protein synthesis. This mechanism allows cells to silence specific genes post-transcriptionally without blocking transcription itself. MicroRNA-mediated degradation represents a specific form of translational regulation targeting particular mRNA subsets.
Q5: What is the difference between specific and general translational regulation?
Specific translational regulation inhibits translation of particular mRNA subsets through interactions with proteins, microRNAs, and siRNAs. General translational regulation, by contrast, activates or inhibits proteins of the translation machinery to affect all transcripts simultaneously. Both mechanisms allow cells to control protein synthesis at the translation stage.
Q6: How does ubiquitination affect protein function and stability?
Adding multiple ubiquitin proteins to a substrate protein marks it for degradation, regulating protein stability and functional activity. Additionally, post-translational modifications like phosphorylation, acetylation, and methylation can activate or inactivate proteins. These modifications allow cells to fine-tune protein activity after translation is complete.
Q7: At which stages can cells regulate gene expression?
Cells regulate gene expression at four major stages: transcription, RNA processing, RNA localization, and translation. Transcriptional regulation controls whether genes are transcribed; RNA processing determines mRNA structure; localization controls mRNA transport; and translation regulation determines protein synthesis. This multi-step regulation enables precise control of molecular factors affecting cell division and cellular differentiation.