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Related Concept Videos

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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What is Gene Expression?01:36

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A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is comprised  of nucleotides and proteins are comprised of amino acids, a mediator is required to convert the information encoded in DNA into proteins. This mediator is the messenger RNA (mRNA). mRNA copies the blueprint from DNA by a process called transcription. In eukaryotes, transcription occurs in the nucleus by complementary base-pairing with the DNA template. The mRNA is then...
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Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps02:24

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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.
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Structure of a Gene01:30

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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.
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Translational Regulation01:29

Translational Regulation

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Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...
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Riboswitches01:56

Riboswitches

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Riboswitches are non-coding mRNA domains that regulate the transcription and translation of downstream genes without the help of proteins. Riboswitches bind directly to a metabolite and can form unique stem-loop or hairpin structures in response to the amount of the metabolite present. They have two distinct regions – a metabolite-binding aptamer and an expression platform.
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Tiny but mighty: Diverse functions of uORFs that regulate gene expression.

Zhenfei Zhong1, Yajie Li1, Qinmiao Sun2,3,4,5

  • 1Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China.

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|November 11, 2024
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Summary

Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) regulate gene expression in microbes and mammals. These uORFs control translation and mRNA decay, with unique roles in mammalian tumorigenesis due to protein-encoding abilities.

Keywords:
Gene expression and regulationMicrobesStress responseTranscriptionTranslationUORFs

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) are key cis-acting regulators of gene expression.
  • uORFs influence translation initiation and mRNA decay, impacting cellular processes.
  • uORFs are found in microbes and increasingly recognized in higher eukaryotes, including mammals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the mechanisms of uORF-mediated gene regulation in microbes.
  • To highlight the ubiquitous nature and functions of uORFs in mammalian cells.
  • To introduce recent findings on uORF roles in mammalian physiology and tumorigenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on uORF functions in microbes and mammals.
  • Analysis of studies employing ribosome profiling, protein analysis, and computational annotation.
  • Integration of findings on translational control and mRNA decay mediated by uORFs.

Main Results:

  • uORFs in microbes provide models for understanding gene regulation via translation disruption or mRNA decay.
  • uORFs are prevalent in mammalian genomes and regulate gene expression primarily at the translational level.
  • Mammalian uORFs exhibit unique roles in tumorigenesis, linked to their capacity to encode proteins.

Conclusions:

  • uORFs are conserved regulators of gene expression across diverse organisms.
  • Mammalian uORFs share mechanistic similarities with microbial counterparts but possess distinct functions.
  • Further research into mammalian uORFs is crucial for understanding gene regulation and disease, particularly cancer.