How do prokaryotes control gene expression?
Category:
science
genetics
Prokaryotic cells can only regulate gene expression by controlling the amount of transcription. It therefore became possible to control gene expression by regulating transcription in the nucleus, and also by controlling the RNA levels and protein translation present outside the nucleus.
Just so, what is gene expression in prokaryotes?
Prokaryotic gene expression (both transcription and translation) occurs within the cytoplasm of a cell due to the lack of a defined nucleus; thus, the DNA is freely located within the cytoplasm. Eukaryotic gene expression occurs in both the nucleus (transcription) and cytoplasm (translation).
Regarding this, what mechanisms does a prokaryotic cell use to control gene expression?
Prokaryotes regulate gene expression by controlling the amount of transcription, whereas eukaryotic control is much more complex.
Mechanisms of gene regulation include:
- Regulating the rate of transcription.
- Regulating the processing of RNA molecules, including alternative splicing to produce more than one protein product from a single gene.
- Regulating the stability of mRNA molecules.
- Regulating the rate of translation.