Biochemistry
6th Edition
ISBN:9781305577206
Author:Reginald H. Garrett, Charles M. Grisham
Publisher:Reginald H. Garrett, Charles M. Grisham
Chapter29: Transcription And The Regulation Of Gene Expression
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 20P: Chromatin decompaction is a preliminary step in gene expression (Figure 29.48). How is chromatin...
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
Transcribed Image Text:**How lncRNA Modifies Chromatin Structure to Regulate Gene Expression**
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression by modifying the structure of chromatin. These molecules influence chromatin dynamics in several ways:
1. **Chromatin Remodeling**: lncRNAs can recruit chromatin remodeling complexes that modify the histone proteins, leading to either a more open configuration that promotes gene expression or a closed structure that represses it.
2. **Histone Modification**: Specific lncRNAs can guide histone-modifying enzymes to particular genomic loci, resulting in alterations such as methylation or acetylation. These chemical changes further influence chromatin accessibility and gene expression.
3. **DNA Methylation**: lncRNAs can also affect the methylation status of DNA, particularly in promoter regions, thereby regulating transcription activity.
4. **Scaffolding Role**: Some lncRNAs function as scaffolds, bringing together various protein complexes that collectively influence chromatin structure and gene transcription.
Understanding the mechanisms by which lncRNAs modify chromatin is essential for deciphering their roles in gene regulation and their potential impacts on health and disease.
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Step 1
Chromatin is an organized structure of DNA and protein that is found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. it contains a single dsDNA in coiled and condensed form. Chromatin is less condensed and extended DNA while chromosomes are highly condensed DNA.
The major proteins in chromatin are known as histones. The cause that chromatin is very important is that it's a pretty good packing trick to get all the DNA inside a cell. Every cell is about a hundredth of a millimeter across, so it's a very good packing job for the yard of DNA within something that is a hundredth of a millimeter in diameter. And the chromatin does that by wrapping the DNA in a very tight coil. And that arrangement is called chromatin.
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