Gene Expression

• Basic Process


  • Both transcribe DNA into RNA and translate RNA into proteins
• RNA Polymerase


  • Both use RNA polymerase for transcription
• Ribosomes


  • Both use ribosomes for translation
• Location (Eukaryotes)


  Transcription in the nucleus, translation in the cytoplasm
• Location (Prokaryotes)


  Both processes occur in the cytoplasm, often simultaneously
• RNA Processing (Eukaryotes)


  Pre-mRNA is spliced, capped, and tailed before becoming mature mRNA
• RNA Processing (Prokaryotes)


  mRNA is directly translated without processing
• Gene Structure (Eukaryotes)


  Genes contain introns and exons
• Gene Structure (Prokaryotes)


  Genes are continuous, without introns
• Regulation (Eukaryotes)


  Multiple levels of regulation (chromatin, transcription, RNA processing, etc.)
• Regulation (Prokaryotes)


  Mainly transcriptional regulation, often using operons
• Transcription Factors (Eukaryotes)


  Require various transcription factors
• Transcription Factors (Prokaryotes)


  Use sigma factors
• mRNA Stability (Eukaryotes)


  mRNA is more stable, lasting longer
• mRNA Stability (Prokaryotes)


  mRNA is short-lived
• Operons (Prokaryotes)


  Use operons to regulate groups of genes
• Operons (Eukaryotes)


  Do not have operons; each gene is regulated independently