Genetics Chapter 17: Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes

Lecture 18
Control of Gene Expression
in Eukaryotes




BI333: General Genetics
Dr. Matt Arterburn
Department of Biology

,Control Points for Eukaryotic Genes

cytoplasm Arrangements of genes
in the genome &
& copy
copy ##
nucleus


DNA I. Chromatin Structure &
Chemical Modification

II. Transcription
RNA
III. RNA Processing
mRNA


IV. Nuclear Export

V. Translation
Protein
VI. Protein Modification
& Trafficking

, POSITION EFFECTS OF GENES
• Different regions of the genome have different levels of expression (ex:
heterochromatin and euchromatin)

• Ex: movement of red pigment gene for Drosophila eye color to a region
near heterochromatin

• Lowers pigment gene expression and causes a partial “white eye” mutant



• Cells can control expression
by moving genes to other
regions (their position in the
genome can determine their
expression levels)

• This is used by many
organisms in specific gene
expression strategies