The gene and the genon concept: a functional and information-theoretic analysis

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• The concept of a 'gene' is currently ill-defined, hindering precise analysis.
• Existing definitions lack clarity for mathematical modeling of gene storage and expression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To redefine the gene as a functional unit for mathematical analysis.
• To introduce a new term, 'genon', for the genetic program encoded in mRNA.
• To establish a framework for analyzing gene expression using information theory.

Main Methods:

• Revisiting the original concept of the gene as a functional product (polypeptide).
• Defining the 'genon' as the ensemble of signals within mRNA that dictate gene expression.
• Introducing 'pre-genon' and 'proto-genon' for precursor and genomic contexts.
• Describing the implementation of the 'genon' program by 'transgenon' factors.

Main Results:

• The gene is conceptualized as a functional unit with an associated cis-acting program ('genon').
• This program, encoded in mRNA, includes signals for gene expression beyond the coding sequence.
• Genomic domains contain proto-genons, and transcripts contain pre-genons, which are processed into genons.
• The 'genon' program is executed by trans-acting factors ('transgenon').

Conclusions:

• The proposed 'genon' framework provides a more precise definition of the gene for analytical purposes.
• Information theory can be applied to analyze the gene, its cis program, and trans program.
• This redefinition facilitates mathematical modeling of genetic information storage and expression.