Contents
What is up and down regulated genes?
In the biological context of organisms’ production of gene products, downregulation is the process by which a cell decreases the quantity of a cellular component, such as RNA or protein, in response to an external stimulus. The complementary process that involves increases of such components is called upregulation.
How is gene expression regulated?
Specifically, gene expression is controlled on two levels. First, transcription is controlled by limiting the amount of mRNA that is produced from a particular gene. The second level of control is through post-transcriptional events that regulate the translation of mRNA into proteins.
What causes up regulation?
Upregulation (i.e., increase in the number) of receptors occurs when the activity of the receptor is lower than usual (e.g., due to long-term administration of an antagonist). For example, administration of beta-blockers upregulates β adrenoreceptors.
How is gene expression regulated in eukaryotes?
Gene expression in eukaryotic cells is regulated by repressors as well as by transcriptional activators. Like their prokaryotic counterparts, eukaryotic repressors bind to specific DNA sequences and inhibit transcription. Other repressors compete with activators for binding to specific regulatory sequences.
Downregulation and upregulation in cancer. Epigenetic upregulation of the DNA repair genes PARP1 and FEN1 occurs in numerous cancers (see Regulation of transcription in cancer ). PARP1 and FEN1 are essential genes in the error-prone and mutagenic DNA repair pathway microhomology-mediated end joining.
How is downregulation related to the production of gene products?
In the biological context of organisms ‘ production of gene products, downregulation is the process by which a cell decreases the quantity of a cellular component, such as RNA or protein, in response to an external stimulus. The complementary process that involves increases of such components is called upregulation.
Thus, epigenetic downregulation or upregulation of DNA genes that were repaired is likely central to progression to cancer.
How are downregulation and upregulations of RNA related?
In this situation, the cells increase their production of cytochrome P450 enzymes, which in turn increases degradation of these molecules. Downregulation or upregulation of an RNA or protein may also arise by an epigenetic alteration. An epigenetic alteration can be permanent or semi-permanent in a somatic cell lineage.