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Importance of gene regulation
Importance of gene regulation
Dr.V.Malathi
Gene regulation makes cells different
Gene expression regulation enables the human body to respond to changes in nutrient concentration
Hormonal and nutrient concentrations affect several regulatory domains of genes, which encode for enzymes involved in anabolic and catabolic pathways. Insulin and glucose concentrations increase mRNA levels and transcription rates of the glycolytic enzymes, and decrease those of the gluconeogenic enzymes. On the contrary glucagon has the opposite effect of insulin.
The required protein must be generated at the appropriate time and rate for a cell to function effectively. To prevent the buildup of intermediates, particularly the hazardous ones, in the biosynthetic pathway, the activity of the pathway enzymes must be balanced which could be achieved by regulating the expression of genes encoding these enzymes.
Gene expression regulation helps to conserve Energy and Space
Energy and space are conserved through gene expression control. Just activating the genes when necessary will use less energy. Also, because DNA must be unwound from its tightly coiled shape in order to be translated and transcribed, just expressing a selection of genes in each cell conserves space. If every protein were constantly expressed in every cell, cells would need to be extremely large.