Chapter 3 Chapter Outline

Defining Differential Gene Expression

A Quick Primer on the Central Dogma

Evidence for Genomic Equivalence

Anatomy of the Gene

• Chromatin composition
• Exons and introns
• Major parts of a eukaryotic gene
  The transcription product and how it is processed
  Noncoding regulatory elements: The on, off, and dimmer switches of a gene

Mechanisms of Differential Gene Expression: Transcription

• Epigenetic modification: Modulating access to genes
• Transcription factors regulate gene transcription
• The gene regulatory network: Defining an individual cell

Mechanisms of Differential Gene Expression: Pre-messenger RNA Processing

• Creating families of proteins through alternative pre-mRNA splicing

Mechanisms of Differential Gene Expression: mRNA Translation

• Differential mRNA longevity
• Stored oocyte mRNAs: Selective inhibition of mRNA translation
• Ribosomal selectivity: Selective activation of mRNA translation
• microRNAs: Specific regulation of mRNA translation and transcription
• Control of RNA expression by cytoplasmic localization

Mechanisms of Differential Gene Expression: Posttranslational Protein Modification

Coda