Transcription + Transcription Regulation
Transcription is a fancy term for the process of rewriting information. Scientifically, it is the process whereby a DNA sequence is copied out of a gene in the matching alphabet of RNA by the RNA Polymerase. For the genes to respond effectively during transcription, a mechanism known as transcription regulation should function. Transcription regulation is thus, the action where the degree of gene transcription is managed. This process is made possible through, for example, slowing down or speeding up the RNA Polymerase. Multiple research articles about transcription and transcription regulation have been published. This essay thus gives a detailed review of a report on transcription and its regulation. The science of transcription is quite complicated, and reviewing articles will be useful in simplifying the topic further.
Varying researchers have sought multiple angles to understand the topic of transcription and transcription regulation. Zhou D. and Yang R. did an exemplary review article on the Global Analysis of Gene transcription regulation in prokaryotes. The paper analyses the variation in the current strategies, approaches and challenges in understanding six gradual aspects of gene transcription regulation: i) how transcription factors repertoires are mapped (Zhou, D., and R. Yang 5), ii) how specific cis-acting DNA elements and their DNA bindings Transcription factors required for a given gene expression are identified (Zhou, D., and R. Yang 8), iii) how regulation members of a given Transcription factor is defined (Zhou, D., and R. Yang 11), iv) how Transcription Factors and target promoters interact (Zhou, D., and R. Yang 13), v) how Transcription factors that promote the DNA interactions form a regulatory network and vi) how reverse engineering can reconstruct transcriptional regulatory networks (Zhou, D., and R. Yang 18). There is a significant relevance of this research paper to our class topics, including Transcription Factors and its application in different cells, including prokaryotes hence the enthusiasm to review it.
Global science has made significant advancements in trying to measure the variations in gene expression with DNA microarrays through the interaction of a wide range of Transcription Factors. This research paper gives an elaborate representation of the global transcription regulators by stating that they are Transcription Factors that function on three angles (Zhou, D., and R. Yang 2). The first description of transcription regulators is based on their ability to regulate multiple genes that belong to an array of functional classes. Secondly, Transcription regulators in this paper have been described as those that can control an intricate regulatory cascade by a mechanism of not only undeviatingly containing the specific gene expression but also, incidentally regulating a wide range of cellular pathways. This function is further made possible through the action of a set of local regulators that act as catalysts to genes in both small and large quantities. Finally, this paper describes transcription regulation from a global perspective as Transcription Factors that perform on target promoters that use different sigma factors (Zhou, D., and R. Yang 2). This final definition based on our class definition excludes Transcription Factors like RNA Polymerase involved in essential cellular function (Lumenlearning.com). Gene transcription is a complex yet intriguing function in biology.
Reviewing the research paper titled Global Analysis of Gene Transcription Regulation was quite enlightening. It was interesting to take note of the current efforts put in place to measure global changes in gene expression with DNA, Transcription Factors that map DNA interactions and the detection of specific TF-DNA locations, among others. More research should, however, be done to identify additional target genes of additional Transcription Factors in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This direction will offer necessary information for the reconstruction of regulatory networks. The connection between genes and transcription factors appears to be very complex, and the practical challenge as at now is to discover novel cues on the environment under which Transcription Factors trigger gene regulation. On the bright though, the more complex the genetic network, the closer we, in this field, are to mirroring the dynamic changes occurring in the living cell.
Works Cited
Courses.Lumenlearning.com. Introduction to Transcription. Lumen Learning, Biology Majors. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology1/chapter/reading-eukaryotic-transcription-gene-regulation/
Zhou, D., and R. Yang. “Global analysis of gene transcription regulation in prokaryotes.” Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences CMLS 63.19-20 (2016): 2260-2290. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6861320_Global_analysis_of_transcription_regulation_in_prokaryotes