Gene Expression Terminology
Molecular Diagnostics
(MDx) Review 538
TERM EXPLANATION
Gene expression
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
Micro RNA (miRNA)
Transcription
Translation
Sense strand
Antisense strand
Promoter
Synthesis of specific proteins based on DNA code.
RNA that transcribes DNA code in nucleus & carries it to cytoplasm where it’s translated into protein. About
1%–2% of total cellular RNA.
RNA associated with ribosomes, site of protein synthesis.
RNA that reads code in mRNA & transports amino acids to growing polypeptide chain.
Tiny regulatory RNAs involved in control of gene expression.
Conversion of genetic information from DNA into complementary strand of mRNA. If DNA sequence is
AGCT, mRNA sequence will be UCGA.
Conversion of genetic information from mRNA into specific sequence of amino acids to form specific
protein. Takes place on ribosomes in cytoplasm. tRNA reads mRNA & assembles amino acids.
Strand of DNA that doesn’t serve as template for synthesis of mRNA. Its sequence is same as mRNA that is
translated into protein (except it has T where RNA has U).
Strand of DNA that serves as template for synthesis of mRNA.
Region of DNA that binds RNA polymerase, initiating transcription.
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