Unit 3127: Gene Expression and Regulation

1. Introduction to Gene Expression

• Definition and significance of gene expression
• Central Dogma of Molecular Biology: DNA → RNA → Protein
• Functional gene products: proteins and RNA molecules
• Overview of gene expression stages

2. Transcriptional Regulation

• Overview of transcription process
• Key elements in transcription initiation
  • Promoters
  • Enhancers and silencers
• Role of transcription factors
  • Activators and repressors
• Epigenetic modifications influencing transcription
  • DNA methylation
  • Histone modifications (acetylation, methylation)
• Chromatin remodeling and accessibility

3. Post-transcriptional Regulation

• RNA processing mechanisms
  • 5’ capping
  • 3’ polyadenylation
  • RNA splicing
• Alternative splicing and its biological significance
• RNA stability and degradation pathways
• MicroRNA (miRNA) mediated regulation
  • Biogenesis and function of miRNAs
  • RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC)

4. Translational Regulation

• Translation initiation and control points
• Regulatory elements in mRNA
  • 5’ untranslated regions (UTRs)
  • Internal ribosome entry sites (IRES)
  • Upstream open reading frames (uORFs)
• Role of RNA-binding proteins
• Mechanisms controlling ribosome binding and elongation

5. Epigenetic Regulation of Gene Expression

• Concept of epigenetics and heritable gene expression changes
• DNA methylation patterns and gene silencing
• Histone code and its impact on chromatin state
• Non-coding RNAs in epigenetic regulation
• Epigenetic reprogramming and cellular differentiation

6. Environmental and Hormonal Regulation

• Influence of environmental cues on gene expression
  • Temperature, light, nutrients, stress
• Hormonal signaling pathways
  • Steroid hormones, peptide hormones
• Signal transduction mechanisms affecting transcription factors
• Cross-talk between environmental and hormonal regulation

7. Feedback Mechanisms in Gene Regulation

• Negative and positive feedback loops
• Autoregulation of gene expression
• Examples of feedback in metabolic pathways and development
• Dynamic regulation and homeostasis

8. Disease Implications of Gene Expression Dysregulation

• Gene expression abnormalities in cancer
  • Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes
• Genetic disorders related to expression defects
• Autoimmune diseases and gene regulation
• Therapeutic approaches targeting gene expression
  • Epigenetic drugs
  • RNA interference therapies

Summary and Integration

• Recap of gene expression stages and regulatory layers
• Interconnectedness of regulatory mechanisms
• Implications for research and medicine