Building Blocks of Gene Expression: DNA to RNA to Protein

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-18
Author(s):  
Robin E. Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Deoxyribonucleic Acid ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Basic Understanding ◽  
A Cell ◽  
And Control ◽  
Functional Components

Understanding the genetics of hearing loss can improve the quantity and quality of the information that those who work with individuals with hearing loss can share with their patients and clients. This understanding must start with a basic understanding of genetics in general. The general concepts of genetics can then be applied to the specific genes and proteins that are part of the hearing process, disruption of which can cause hearing loss. This article starts with a description of the central principal or mantra of genetics: “DNA to RNA to Protein.” Double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the nucleus of a cell is used as a template from which ribonucleic acid (RNA) is transcribed, or expressed. RNA transcribed from DNA instructions moves from inside the cellular nucleus out into the cytoplasm where it can then translated into a protein. Proteins are the main functional components in cells. In general, they are what implement and control cellular processes. Each step in this process from DNA to RNA to protein is carefully regulated, and a small mistake or change in any component or step can make a big difference. This article finishes by describing how small changes can cause hearing loss.

scholarly journals Effect of crotamine, a cell-penetrating peptide, on blastocyst production and gene expression of in vitro fertilized bovine embryos

Zygote ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iana S. Campelo ◽  
Alexsandra F. Pereira ◽  
Agostinho S. Alcântara-Neto ◽  
Natalia G. Canel ◽  
Joanna M.G. Souza-Fabjan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cell Penetrating Peptide ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Bovine Embryos ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Cell Penetrating ◽  
A Cell ◽  
And Control

SummaryThe present study investigated the effects of crotamine, a cell-penetrating peptide from rattlesnake venom, at different exposure times and concentrations, on both developmental competence and gene expression (ATP1A1, AQP3, GLUT1 and GLUT3) of in vitro fertilized (IVF) bovine embryos. In Experiment 1, presumptive zygotes were exposed to 0.1 μM crotamine for 6, 12 or 24 h and control groups (vehicle and IVF) were included. In Experiment 2, presumptive zygotes were exposed to 0 (vehicle), 0.1, 1 and 10 μM crotamine for 24 h. Additionally, to visualize crotamine uptake, embryos were exposed to rhodamine B-labelled crotamine and subjected to confocal microscopy. In Experiment 1, no difference (P > 0.05) was observed among different exposure times and control groups for cleavage and blastocyst rates and total cells number per blastocyst. Within each exposure time, mRNA levels were similar (P > 0.05) in embryos cultured with or without crotamine. In Experiment 2, concentrations as high as 10 μM crotamine did not affect (P > 0.05) the blastocyst rate. Crotamine at 0.1 and 10 μM did not alter mRNA levels when compared with the control (P > 0.05). Remarkably, only 1 μM crotamine decreased both ATP1A1 and AQP3 expression levels relative to the control group (P < 0.05). Also, it was possible to visualize the intracellular localization of crotamine. These results indicate that crotamine can translocate intact IVF bovine embryos and its application in the culture medium is possible at concentrations from 0.1–10 μM for 6–24 h.

Homoeostatic systems for sterols and other lipids

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 1182-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Garbarino ◽  
S.L. Sturley
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Model System ◽  
Eukaryotic Cells ◽  
Hormone Production ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Regulate Gene Expression ◽  
Signalling Molecules ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
A Cell

Fatty acids and sterols are vital components of all eukaryotic cells. Both are used as building blocks for numerous cellular processes such as membrane biosynthesis or hormone production (sterols). Furthermore, these compounds elicit a variety of effects intracellularly as they can act as signalling molecules and regulate gene expression. The metabolism of fatty acids and sterols represents a very intricate network of pathways that are regulated in a precise manner in order to maintain lipid homoeostasis within a cell. Using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system, we touch upon some of the aspects of achieving and maintaining this lipid homoeostasis.

scholarly journals LuxS Is Required for Persistent Pneumococcal Carriage and Expression of Virulence and Biosynthesis Genes

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 2964-2975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Joyce ◽  
Amita Kawale ◽  
Stefano Censini ◽  
Charles C. Kim ◽  
Antonello Covacci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Cell Density ◽  
High Cell Density ◽  
Signaling System ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Pneumococcal Carriage ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Dependent Mechanism

ABSTRACT Streptococcus pneumoniae causes several diseases, including otitis media, pneumonia, and meningitis. Although little is known about the regulation of or how individual pneumococcal factors contribute to these disease states, there is evidence suggesting that some factors are regulated by a cell-density-dependent mechanism (quorum sensing). Quorum sensing allows bacteria to couple transcription with changes in cell density; bacteria achieve this by sensing and responding to small diffusible signaling molecules. We investigated how the LuxS signaling system impacts the biology of S. pneumoniae. An analysis of the transcriptional profiles of a serotype 2 strain and an isogenic luxS deletion strain utilizing an S. pneumoniae-specific microarray indicated that LuxS regulates gene expression involved in discrete cellular processes, including pneumolysin expression. Contrary to the paradigm for quorum sensing, we observed pronounced effects on transcription in early log phase, where gene expression was repressed in the mutant. Assessing the mutant for its ability to infect and cause disease in animals revealed a profound defect in ability to persist in the nasopharyngeal tissues. Our analysis of an S. pneumoniae transcriptome revealed a function for LuxS in gene regulation that is not dependent upon high cell density and is likely involved in the maintenance of pneumococcal load in susceptible hosts.

scholarly journals Conserved Promoter Motif Is Required for Cell Cycle Timing of dnaX Transcription inCaulobacter

2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (16) ◽  
pp. 4860-4865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth C. Keiler ◽  
Lucy Shapiro
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Caulobacter Crescentus ◽  
Transcriptional Networks ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Constitutive Gene Expression ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Replication Factors

ABSTRACT Cells use highly regulated transcriptional networks to control temporally regulated events. In the bacterium Caulobacter crescentus, many cellular processes are temporally regulated with respect to the cell cycle, and the genes required for these processes are expressed immediately before the products are needed. Genes encoding factors required for DNA replication, includingdnaX, dnaA, dnaN,gyrB, and dnaK, are induced at the G1/S-phase transition. By analyzing mutations in thednaX promoter, we identified a motif between the −10 and −35 regions that is required for proper timing of gene expression. This motif, named RRF (for repression of replication factors), is conserved in the promoters of other coordinately induced replication factors. Because mutations in the RRF motif result in constitutive gene expression throughout the cell cycle, this sequence is likely to be the binding site for a cell cycle-regulated transcriptional repressor. Consistent with this hypothesis, Caulobacter extracts contain an activity that binds specifically to the RRF in vitro.

scholarly journals Transcription and Cancer in Eukaryotes

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Junyao Sun ◽  
Tyler David Perdue ◽  
Kevin Quick
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Regulation Of Transcription ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Transcription Control ◽  
Genetic Sequence ◽  
Basic Understanding ◽  
Complicated Process ◽  
And Control

Organisms demand pinpoint and correlated gene expression controls for growth, advancement, and operation. This control is also known as transcriptional regulation. It is a complicated process especially in eukaryotes since it is responsible for all biological processes. Transcription control and its concept were brought up about half a century ago1. These concepts gave a basic understanding on DNA binding transcription factors (trans-factors) which inhabit specific DNA sequences at control elements (cis-elements). They regulate transcription apparatus2. Mis-regulation of transcription may cause failure of gene expression that is responsible for cell division, through disproportionate activation of once positively acting transcriptional factors and nuclear oncogenes3. Epigenetic is learning heritable alterations in gene expression that do not occur and involve in DNA sequence. These changes can be established all the time almost randomly, and alternations are passed and inherited through cell division and replication, allowing cells to have different identities while having the same genetic sequence. Due to loss of epigenetic control and failure of keeping proper epigenetic marks, which result in inappropriate activation and will lead to disease state including cancer4. This review focuses on transcriptions, epigenetics, cancers, and potential therapies to regulate and control cancer cells.

Updates on the Current Technologies for microRNA Profiling

MicroRNA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Mathew ◽  
Valentina Mattei ◽  
Muna Al Hashmi ◽  
Sara Tomei
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Regulate Gene Expression ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Microrna Profiling ◽  
Regulate Gene

MicroRNAs are RNA molecules of ~22 nt length that regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally. The role of miRNAs has been reported in many cellular processes including apoptosis, cell differentiation, development and proliferation. The dysregulated expression of miRNAs has been proposed as a biomarker for the diagnosis, onset and prognosis of human diseases. The utility of miRNA profiles to identify and discriminate patients from healthy individuals is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the technologies used for their detection and the quantity and quality of starting material. In this review, we present an update of the current technologies for the extraction, QC assessment and detection of miRNAs with special focus to the most recent methods, discussing their advantages as well as their shortcomings.

Nuclear prostaglandin signaling system: biogenesis and actions via heptahelical receptors

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernand Gobeil, Jr. ◽  
Alejandro Vazquez-Tello ◽  
Anne Marilise Marrache ◽  
Mosumi Bhattacharya ◽  
Daniella Checchin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Cell Nucleus ◽  
Prostaglandin E ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Surface Receptors ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
A Cell ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Specific Cell Surface

Prostaglandins are ubiquitous lipid mediators that play pivotal roles in cardiovascular homeostasis, reproduction, and inflammation, as well as in many important cellular processes including gene expression and cell proliferation. The mechanism of action of these lipid messengers is thought to be primarily dependent on their interaction with specific cell surface receptors that belong to the heptahelical transmembrane spanning G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. Accumulating evidence suggests that these receptors may co-localize at the cell nucleus where they can modulate gene expression through a series of biochemical events. In this context, we have recently demonstrated that prostaglandin E2-EP3 receptors display an atypical nuclear compartmentalization in cerebral microvascular endothelial cells. Stimulation of these nuclear EP3 receptors leads to an increase of eNOS RNA in a cell-free isolated nuclear system. This review will emphasize these findings and describe how nuclear prostaglandin receptors, notably EP3 receptors, may affect gene expression, specifically of eNOS, by identifying putative transducing elements located within this organelle. The potential sources of lipid ligand activators for these intracellular sites will also be addressed. The expressional control of G-protein-coupled receptors located at the perinuclear envelope constitutes a novel and distinctive mode of gene regulation.Key words: PGE2, EP receptors, cell nucleus, signal transduction, gene transcription.

HIFU-Induced Gene Activation in a Cell-Embedded Tissue Mimicking Phantom

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Yuan ◽  
Chris Pua ◽  
Pei Zhong ◽  
Yunbo Liu
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Focused Ultrasound ◽  
Gene Activation ◽  
Tumor Model ◽  
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Transparent Cell

The synergistic integration of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) thermal ablation and HIFU-induced gene therapy represents a promising approach in improving the overall efficacy and quality of cancer therapy. Previous studies have demonstrated that HIFU can induce GFP gene activation under the control of hsp70B promoter in a murine tumor model [1]. Thermal stress has been identified as the primary mechanism to regulate the gene expression. However, the natural heterogeneity and opacity of solid tumors has hindered direct correlation of site-specific gene expression level with in situ thermal dosimetry. We have developed a homogeneous and transparent cell-embedded tissue mimicking phantom as an alternative for simultaneous assessment of temperature distribution, HIFU lesion formation, and gene expression.

Resistance Monitor and Control for Vacuum Evaporation of Metals and Carbon

1976 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 572-573
Author(s):  
Russell L. Steere ◽  
Eric F. Erbe ◽  
J. Michael Moseley
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Device ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
High Contrast ◽  
Variable Resistor ◽  
Quality Of Results ◽  
Low Contrast ◽  
Evaporation Source ◽  
And Control ◽  
At Will

We have designed and built an electronic device which compares the resistance of a defined area of vacuum evaporated material with a variable resistor. When the two resistances are matched, the device automatically disconnects the primary side of the substrate transformer and stops further evaporation.This approach to controlled evaporation in conjunction with the modified guns and evaporation source permits reliably reproducible multiple Pt shadow films from a single Pt wrapped carbon point source. The reproducibility from consecutive C point sources is also reliable. Furthermore, the device we have developed permits us to select a predetermined resistance so that low contrast high-resolution shadows, heavy high contrast shadows, or any grade in between can be selected at will. The reproducibility and quality of results are demonstrated in Figures 1-4 which represent evaporations at various settings of the variable resistor.

Nutrient-regulated gene expression in eukaryotes

2006 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 85-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Reece ◽  
Laila Beynon ◽  
Stacey Holden ◽  
Amanda D. Hughes ◽  
Karine Rébora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcriptional Control ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Signalling Pathways ◽  
A Cell ◽  
One Step ◽  
Higher Eukaryotes ◽  
Regulated Gene Expression

The recognition of changes in environmental conditions, and the ability to adapt to these changes, is essential for the viability of cells. There are numerous well characterized systems by which the presence or absence of an individual metabolite may be recognized by a cell. However, the recognition of a metabolite is just one step in a process that often results in changes in the expression of whole sets of genes required to respond to that metabolite. In higher eukaryotes, the signalling pathway between metabolite recognition and transcriptional control can be complex. Recent evidence from the relatively simple eukaryote yeast suggests that complex signalling pathways may be circumvented through the direct interaction between individual metabolites and regulators of RNA polymerase II-mediated transcription. Biochemical and structural analyses are beginning to unravel these elegant genetic control elements.

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