Cellular expression refers to the process by which the genetic information stored in a cell’s DNA is used to synthesize functional molecules, such as proteins and RNA molecules. This process involves two main steps: transcription and translation.
- Transcription: During transcription, the DNA sequence of a gene is copied into a molecule of messenger RNA (mRNA). This process is carried out by the enzyme RNA polymerase, which binds to a specific region of the gene called the promoter and unwinds the DNA strands. RNA polymerase then reads the DNA template strand and synthesizes the mRNA molecule by adding complementary RNA nucleotides (adenine, uracil, guanine, and cytosine) in the 5′ to 3′ direction. Once the mRNA molecule is complete, it undergoes several modifications, including the addition of a 5′ cap, a 3′ poly(A) tail, and the removal of non-coding sequences called introns through a process called splicing.
- Translation: The mRNA molecule serves as a template for the synthesis of proteins during the translation process. Translation occurs in cellular structures called ribosomes, which are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins. The ribosome binds to the mRNA molecule and reads its sequence in groups of three nucleotides called codons. Each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid, which is the building block of proteins. Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules, which carry amino acids, recognize and bind to their corresponding codons on the mRNA through a process called base pairing. The ribosome then catalyzes the formation of peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids, forming a growing polypeptide chain. When the ribosome reaches a stop codon on the mRNA, the translation process ends, and the newly synthesized protein is released.
Studying cellular expression is crucial for understanding how genes control various cellular processes, such as growth, development, metabolism, and response to environmental stimuli. It also helps researchers identify the roles of specific genes in health and disease, which can aid in the development of targeted therapies and diagnostic tools.
Several techniques are used to study cellular expression, including:
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR): This technique allows researchers to measure the levels of specific mRNA molecules in a cell or tissue sample, which can provide information about gene expression patterns.
- RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq): This high-throughput method enables the comprehensive analysis of gene expression profiles by sequencing the entire transcriptome of a cell or tissue.
- Western blotting: This technique is used to detect and quantify specific proteins in a cell or tissue sample, providing information about protein expression and post-translational modifications.
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC): IHC is a technique that uses antibodies to detect specific proteins in cells or tissues, providing information about protein expression and subcellular localization.