Process
Transcription
Copying the DNA sequence of a gene into RNA.
Gene expression
Using a gene's information to make its product. Cells switch genes on and off as conditions change.Source: NHGRISource: Jacob & Monod, 1961
Also called gene regulation.
Process
How Gene expression connects
Gene expression involves
Process
Translation
Ribosomes read messenger RNA three bases at a time and join the matching amino acids into a protein.
Gene expression controls
Level of life
Protein
A chain of amino acids folded into a working shape. Proteins act as enzymes, structures, signals and transporters.
Gene expression is controlled by
Process
RNA interference
Double-stranded RNA silences genes whose sequence matches it.
Gene expression is used by
Technology or method
Gene circuits
Engineered networks of genes that behave like switches or clocks. Landmark examples were built in bacteria in 2000.
Studied in
Your progress
Sources & further reading
The explanations on this page are our own summaries of these sources. Follow a link to read the original; if anything here disagrees with it, the original wins. How we choose and check sources.
Gene Expression (opens the original in a new tab)
National Human Genome Research Institute. Talking Glossary of Genomic and Genetic Terms. National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH.
ReferenceGovernment sourceEducationalGenetic regulatory mechanisms in the synthesis of proteins (opens the original in a new tab)
Jacob F, Monod J (1961). Journal of Molecular Biology 3:318-356.
The lac operon model of gene regulation.
Historical paperPrimary research