Gene silencing
Gene Silencing
Gene silencing is a mechanism by which cells regulate gene expression. It involves the inhibition of gene expression, leading to a reduction or elimination of the production of a specific protein.
Pronunciation
Gene silencing: /dʒiːn saɪˈlɛnsɪŋ/
Etymology
The term "gene silencing" is derived from the English words "gene", which refers to the basic physical and functional unit of heredity, and "silencing", which means to stop or reduce.
Mechanism
Gene silencing can occur during either transcription or translation and is often associated with epigenetic changes. It can be achieved through several mechanisms, including RNA interference (RNAi) and DNA methylation.
RNA interference
RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process in which RNA molecules inhibit gene expression or translation, by neutralizing targeted mRNA molecules.
DNA methylation
DNA methylation is a process by which methyl groups are added to the DNA molecule, modifying the function of the genes and affecting gene expression.
Related Terms
- Epigenetics: The study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.
- RNA interference (RNAi): A biological process in which RNA molecules inhibit gene expression or translation, by neutralizing targeted mRNA molecules.
- DNA methylation: A process by which methyl groups are added to the DNA molecule, modifying the function of the genes and affecting gene expression.
- Gene expression: The process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product.
- Transcription (genetics): The first step of gene expression, in which a particular segment of DNA is copied into RNA by the enzyme RNA polymerase.
- Translation (genetics): The process in which cellular ribosomes create proteins.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gene silencing
- Wikipedia's article - Gene silencing
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski