Discuss different components and types of epigenetic gene regulation

Eukaryotic gene expression is more complex than prokaryotic gene expression because the processes of transcription and translation are physically separated. Unlike prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells can regulate gene expression at many different levels. Epigenetic changes are inheritable changes in gene expression that do not result from changes in the DNA sequence. Eukaryotic gene expression begins with control of access to the DNA. Transcriptional access to the DNA can be controlled in two general ways: chromatin remodeling and DNA methylation. Chromatin remodeling changes the way that DNA is associated with chromosomal histones. DNA methylation is associated with developmental changes and gene silencing.

What You’ll Learn to Do

• Explain the process of epigenetic regulation
• Discuss the role of transcription factors in gene regulation
• Understand RNA splicing and explain its role in regulating gene expression
• Describe the importance of RNA stability in gene regulation

Learning Activities

The learning activities for this section include the following:

• Eukaryotic Epigenetic Gene Regulation
• Eukaryotic Transcription Gene Regulation
• Post-Translational Control of Gene Expression
• Self Check: Eukaryotic Gene Regulation