Molecular Biology: Gene Regulation Mechanisms

A regulatory protein that interacts with a specific DNA sequence, influencing the rate of transcription by either activating or inhibiting gene expression.

A complex of proteins that mediates the interaction between transcription factors and the general transcription machinery, playing a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression.

A DNA sequence that is located at a distance from the gene it regulates and acts as a binding site for transcription factors, controlling the gene's expression level.

A protein that interacts with transcription factors, enhancing or suppressing their activity. They often function by modifying chromatin structure or recruiting other enzymes to the regulatory regions.

A complex of proteins that remodel chromatin structure, allowing for the accessibility of DNA to transcription factors.

Enzymes that modify the chemical structure of histones, influencing the accessibility of DNA to transcription factors and affecting gene expression.

The complex structure formed by DNA wrapped around histone proteins. It controls the accessibility of DNA and plays a crucial role in gene regulation.

The process of altering the structure of chromatin, making DNA more or less accessible to transcription factors, ultimately affecting gene expression. This can involve modifications to histones or the recruitment of chromatin remodeling complexes.

A highly condensed state of chromatin, making DNA less accessible to transcription factors, leading to transcriptional silencing.

Eukaryotic proteins that associate with DNA to form chromatin. They are involved in packaging and regulating DNA.

Enzymes that catalyze the attachment of acetyl groups to lysine residues on histone tails, often leading to increased transcription.

Enzymes that catalyze the removal of acetyl groups from lysine residues on histone tails, often leading to decreased transcription.

Enzymes that catalyze the addition of methyl groups to specific amino acids on histone tails, influencing transcription in a context-dependent manner.

Enzymes that catalyze the removal of methyl groups from specific amino acids on histone tails, influencing transcription in a context-dependent manner.

The process of initiating protein synthesis in eukaryotes where the ribosome assembles and starts reading the mRNA sequence.

A set of proteins that regulate translation initiation by controlling the binding of ribosomes to mRNA.

A protein that binds to the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) of mRNA affecting translation initiation; some repress translation while others promote it.

Small non-coding RNA molecules that bind to target mRNA molecules and inhibit their translation, effectively silencing protein production.

The mechanism of regulation where a repressor protein binds to a specific mRNA molecule and inhibits its ability to be translated.

A specific sequence within the 5' region of an mRNA that binds to repressor proteins, regulating translation initiation.

The complex formed when a repressor protein binds to an IRE within the 5' UTR of an mRNA, inhibiting translation initiation.

The process of creating a mature miRNA from a primary single-stranded miRNA transcript. It involves hairpin formation followed by sequential cleavage by Drosha and Dicer.

The process of breaking down mRNA molecules to control gene expression.

The poly-A tail on an mRNA molecule gets shorter, initiating mRNA degradation.

Enzymes break down mRNA from the 3' end to the 5' end.

Proteins that bind to mRNA and influence its fate, often regulating how fast it breaks down.

Short sequences in mRNA rich in adenine and uracil bases that can attract RBPs and control its lifetime.

A small, non-coding RNA molecule that regulates gene expression by binding to messenger RNA (mRNA) and inhibiting translation.

A multi-protein complex essential for miRNA-mediated gene silencing. It binds to miRNA and guides it to the target mRNA.

The process by which a double-stranded miRNA molecule separates into two single strands, one of which is incorporated into the RISC complex.

The 3' untranslated region (UTR) of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule. This is where miRNA often binds to target and regulate its translation.

A process that prevents protein synthesis from the target mRNA by blocking translation initiation or promoting mRNA degradation.

A group of proteins that bind to the 5' cap of mRNA, promoting translation initiation and ensuring efficient protein synthesis.

A complex of proteins responsible for regulating translation initiation by phosphorylating eIF2, a key factor in the process.

Proteins that bind to eIF4E, a key translation initiation factor. When bound, they inhibit translation initiation.

The process by which cellular machinery removes the 5' cap from messenger RNA transcripts, leading to mRNA degradation.

Enzymes that degrade mRNA from the 3' end. Their activity is often enhanced by the interaction of microRNAs (miRNAs) and the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) with the 3' UTR of target mRNA.

Regulatory elements in the 3' UTR of mRNAs that promote mRNA degradation. These elements can interact with specific proteins that trigger the degradation pathways.

A mechanism of gene regulation in prokaryotes where the synthesis of specific enzymes is induced only when the appropriate substrate is present. For example, the expression of Lac operon genes involved in lactose metabolism is induced when lactose is present.

A mechanism of gene regulation in prokaryotes where the synthesis of specific enzymes is repressed when the product of the pathway is present. For example, the expression of Trp operon genes involved in tryptophan synthesis is repressed when tryptophan is present.