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Related Concept Videos

What is Gene Expression?01:42

What is Gene Expression?

167.1K
Overview
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
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Structure of a Gene01:30

Structure of a Gene

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A gene is the fundamental unit of heredity. Every individual has two copies of each gene, one inherited from each parent. Although most people contain the same genes, there is a small fraction that is slightly different amongst people. A gene with a small difference in its sequence of DNA bases forms different alleles, contributing to different phenotypes.
However, only 1% of the DNA is composed of genes that encode proteins; the rest, 99% is non-coding DNA. This non-coding DNA performs...
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Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression02:35

Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression

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Chromatin is the massive complex of DNA and proteins packaged inside the nucleus. The complexity of chromatin folding and how it is packaged inside the nucleus greatly influences  access to genetic information. Generally, the nucleus' periphery is considered transcriptionally repressive, while the cell's interior is considered a transcriptionally active area. 
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the...
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Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps01:23

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

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The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the...
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Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps02:24

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

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Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
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mRNA Stability and Gene Expression02:51

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

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Updated: Jun 13, 2025

An Allele-specific Gene Expression Assay to Test the Functional Basis of Genetic Associations
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Striving for clarity in language about gene expression.

Ana S G Cunningham1, Myriam Gorospe1

  • 1Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.

Nucleic Acids Research
|September 13, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Scientists propose precise terminology for gene expression research. Using "gene" for DNA and "transcript" for RNA clarifies communication and advances molecular biology discovery.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • The central dogma of molecular biology describes information flow from DNA to RNA to protein.
  • High-throughput technologies have accelerated 'omics' research, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.
  • Current gene expression research often uses 'gene' ambiguously to refer to RNA transcripts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address ambiguity in gene expression terminology.
  • To propose guidelines for precise scientific communication.
  • To enhance clarity and rigor in molecular biology research.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical and current terminology in gene expression.
  • Analysis of the impact of imprecise language on scientific understanding.
  • Development of a proposed standardized nomenclature.

Main Results:

  • The widespread use of 'gene' to mean 'RNA transcript' creates confusion.
  • Clearer definitions are needed for DNA templates and their corresponding RNA molecules.
  • Proposed guidelines aim to distinguish between DNA genes and RNA transcripts.

Conclusions:

  • Adopting precise terminology, reserving 'gene' for DNA and 'transcript' for RNA, will improve scientific communication.
  • Standardized language is crucial for advancing gene expression science and accelerating biological discovery.
  • Clearer communication promotes more rigorous research in molecular biology and related fields.