Untranslated Gene Regions and Other Non-coding Elements
Author | : Lucy W. Barrett |
Publisher | : Springer Science & Business Media |
Total Pages | : 63 |
Release | : 2013-06-26 |
ISBN-10 | : 9783034806794 |
ISBN-13 | : 3034806795 |
Rating | : 4/5 (795 Downloads) |
Download or read book Untranslated Gene Regions and Other Non-coding Elements written by Lucy W. Barrett and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-06-26 with total page 63 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There is now compelling evidence that the complexity of higher organisms correlates with the relative amount of non-coding RNA rather than the number of protein-coding genes. Previously dismissed as “junk DNA”, it is the non-coding regions of the genome that are responsible for regulation, facilitating complex temporal and spatial gene expression through the combinatorial effect of numerous mechanisms and interactions working together to fine-tune gene expression. The major regions involved in regulation of a particular gene are the 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions and introns. In addition, pervasive transcription of complex genomes produces a variety of non-coding transcripts that interact with these regions and contribute to regulation. This book discusses recent insights into the regulatory roles of the untranslated gene regions and non-coding RNAs in the control of complex gene expression, as well as the implications of this in terms of organism complexity and evolution.