Discuss regulation of translation by small RNAs
Gene Interactions
When the expression of a single trait is influenced by two or more different non-allelic genes, it is termed as genetic interaction. According to Mendel's law of inheritance, each gene functions in its own way and does not depend on the function of another gene, i.e., a single gene controls each of seven characteristics considered, but the complex contribution of many different genes determine many traits of an organism.
Gene Expression
Gene expression is a process by which the instructions present in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) are converted into useful molecules such as proteins, and functional messenger ribonucleic (mRNA) molecules in the case of non-protein-coding genes.
Discuss regulation of translation by small RNAs
The regulation of gene expression is an important physiological process that allows the cells to finely tune their physiology and metabolism according to the environment, growth, stage of development, etc. It is also a key player in cellular differentiation.
Gene expression can be regulated at various levels: during RNA processing, translation, or post-translational modifications. RNA processing involves alternate splicing of exons, the addition of a 5' cap, the introduction of poly-A tail, etc. During translation, gene expression is regulated by either promoting or completely blocking the translation of mRNA. Even the half-life of mRNA in the cytoplasm (or stability) determines the level of gene expression. Lastly, some proteins require post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, glycosylation, etc. to become functional.
So, whether the mRNA is translated into protein is determined by its half-life and if the translation occurs or not. One of the ways in which these two aspects of mRNA seem to be regulated is by small regulatory RNAs.
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