Gene Regulation is how a cell controls which genes, out of all the ones in the genome, are expressed, or "turned on". Each cell type in the body has a different set of active genes. The different patterns of gene expression causes the different cell types to have different sets of protein, which allow them to have a unique specalization to be able to do its assigned job.
There are many factors that can influence how the genes are expressed. Gene expression patterns may depend on the cell's enviorment and internal state. Genes expression is determined by infromation influenced by the inside and outside of the cell. Information from the inside of the cell can be proteins inherited from "the mother cell" or possible damage done in the DNA. Information from the outside of the cell can be chemical signals recieved from other cells or mechanical signals from the extra cellular matrix, and nutrient levels. Differences in gene regulation can make differnt cell types in a mutlitcellular organism with unique structures and functions.
Gene Regulation in Eukaryotic Cells
Steps: Chromatin Accessibility -The structure of chromatin can be regulated; More open chromatin makes a gene more available for transcription. Transcription - Sets of transcription binders bind to specific DNA sequences in or close to a gene and promote or repress its transcription into an RNA. RNA Processing - Addition of a poly-A tail to an RNA molecule that can be regulated to then exit the nucleus. RNA Stability - miRNAs bind to target mRNA's and cause them to be cut up. Translation - Translate the mRNA (can be increased by regulators). They sometimes block translation of target mRNAs. Protein Activity - They can undergo many changes, such as being cut up or placed in chemical groups. Changes can be regulated and can affect the activity or behavior of a protein.