There is now compelling evidence that the complexity of higher organisms correlates with the relative amount of non-coding RNA rather than the number of protein-coding genes. Previously dismissed as ''junk DNA'', it is the non-coding regions of the genome that are responsible for regulation, facilitating complex temporal and spatial gene expression through the combinatorial effect of numerous mechanisms and interactions working together to fine-tune gene expression. The major regions involved in regulation of a particular gene are the 50 and 30 untranslated regions and introns. In addition, pervasive transcription of complex genomes produces a variety of non-coding transcripts that interact with these regions and contribute to regulation. This review discusses recent insights into the regulatory roles of the untranslated gene regions and non-coding RNAs in the control of complex gene expression, as well as the implications of this in terms of organism complexity and evolution. © 2012 The Author(s).
CITATION STYLE
Barrett, L. W., Fletcher, S., & Wilton, S. D. (2012, November). Regulation of eukaryotic gene expression by the untranslated gene regions and other non-coding elements. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-012-0990-9
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