Transcription factors

Transcription is a process that converts DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA) in a group of cells, which can be compared to the production of an audio recording from a live performance. Cells transcribe DNA into mRNA; this mRNA then moves out of the nucleus and connects with ribosomes or synthetases in cytoplasm (the fluid within cells). This is where transcription stops but translation starts. Transcription factors of gene expression are proteins that bind to DNA and enhance the process of transcription. These ribozymes or as they are known, RNA polymerases/enzymes help in the transcription process by elongating the RNA’, which is produced by the transcription machinery. The mRNA is then used to create proteins through translation in a process called translation.

Gene Regulation:

Transcription factors bind to DNA and initiate the transcription process. An RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of a gene, which decides whether the gene is to be transcribed or not. The promoter region is located within 0-5kb around the start site of a gene, which controls where and when it will be transcribed; just like a radio station which has a particular frequency that relates to the time period during which it can be heard.

Transcription factors bind to promoters in genes and regulate their production by enhancing or inhibiting transcription. A DNA sequence called enhancer is located 5′ from the start codon of a gene; this enhances transcription of that part of DNA. Transcription factors bind to the enhancer region and enhance production of mRNA. These cis-acting sequences are usually located in close proximity to one another and are sometimes called adjacent cis-acting sequences.

Transcription factors can also act as activators or repressors, but they can only do so with the status of the promoter; for example, enhancers within promoters of genes that are not transcribed will not activate transcription without a transcription factor present.

Transcripts are initiated by DNA binding and initiating factors . This is where a protein called RNA polymerase, or ribozyme (RNA polymerase I), binds to DNA, then chemically cleaves it at one end, forming an RNA chain that copies the sequence from template DNA.

Transcription factors:

Transcription factors are proteins that bind to DNA and regulate the production of mRNA by enhancing or inhibiting transcription. They do so by binding to promoter regions of genes within a gene’s promoter sequence, which is located in the 0-5kb region surrounding the gene. The promoter sequence contains enhancer regions that control where and when a gene will be transcribed, just like a radio station’s frequency during which it is broadcasted.

Transcription factors are also known as activators or repressors, depending on their effect on transcription speed. Activators can speed up the transcription process and representatives slow it down.

Application of Transcription Factors:

Following are some ways in which transcription factors can be used:

Natural selection is the process of survival of the fittest; through this, beneficial traits survive and traits with negative impact on survival (such as diseases) die out. This is because the survivors have better traits than those that have already died out. This is called natural selection .

Mutation: Mutation is a change in genetic material caused by mistakes during DNA replication or by a chemical process. A mutation can cause disease or make a cell “different”, and will lead to death; this then causes adaptation, which propagates through the gene pool. Mutations are normally harmful, but sometimes benefits can arise from mutations. A mutation is known as an altered sequence (alternative sequence). Mutations will affect a gene’s coding sequence and cause protein expression to change. The sequence of the affected amino acids in the protein can be altered and this can greatly change the function of the protein.

Gene splicing: In gene splicing, mRNA from different genes are fused together or “spliced” together; this has been used for many years to generate new proteins for research or to treat diseases. Gene splicing is a very useful method but only if each individual mRNA is chemically isolated and examined separately.

Transcription factors are important because they help regulate gene expression, which in return affects cell biochemistry and ultimately affects biological properties (phenotypes). They can be used by researchers to study how cells work by controlling gene expression.

Conclusion:

Transcription factors have a significant role in the production of a certain protein, as they are one of the main reasons behind replication, translation and transcription. These factors are important because they help regulate gene expression, which can be used by researchers to study how cells work by controlling gene expression. This article has used transcription factors to understand the role they play in cell biology, and has illustrated the importance of transcription factors in cell biology.