Chapter 3 Chapter Outline

Differential Gene Expression: Mechanisms of Cell Differentiation

Defining Differential Gene Expression

A Quick Primer on the Central Dogma

Evidence for Genomic Equivalence

Anatomy of the Gene

  • Chromatin composition
  • Exons and introns
  • Major parts of a eukaryotic gene
    The transcription product and how it is processed
    Noncoding regulatory elements: The on, off, and dimmer switches of a gene

Mechanisms of Differential Gene Expression: Transcription

  • Epigenetic modification: Modulating access to genes
  • Transcription factors regulate gene transcription
  • The gene regulatory network: Defining an individual cell

Mechanisms of Differential Gene Expression: Pre-messenger RNA Processing

  • Creating families of proteins through alternative pre-mRNA splicing

Mechanisms of Differential Gene Expression: mRNA Translation

  • Differential mRNA longevity
  • Stored oocyte mRNAs: Selective inhibition of mRNA translation
  • Ribosomal selectivity: Selective activation of mRNA translation
  • microRNAs: Specific regulation of mRNA translation and transcription
  • Control of RNA expression by cytoplasmic localization

Mechanisms of Differential Gene Expression: Posttranslational Protein Modification

Coda

Back to top