gene overexpression

[landarc]

What does this mean? I see this term more and more and although I can guess at the words, what does it really mean?

[blane]

Are you gettin any answers in the Chat?

[frogsleapfarm]

The expression of native genes are generally regulated by promoters, which are regulatory elements controlling when and in what tissues genes are expressed; and transcription factors which are regulatory genes modulating suites of genes in one or more biosynthetic pathways. Over-expression, or upregulation of gene expression can be accomplished by inserting the native gene with a novel promoter that either changes level or pattern of gene expression (this is a GM process), or introducing a novel transcription factor through crossing (e.g. OSU Blue) or plant transformation (GM, e.g. snapdragon anthocyanin tomato). Every cell in an organism has the same genetic compliment, these mechanisms controlling gene expression determine cell/tissue differentiation, i.e. which cells become leaf vs root vs flower cells, etc.

[landarc]

Thanks Frogs, yep, that makes sense to me. Also got Mule talking with me about it.

[landarc]

Mar 15, 2010 21:22:30 GMT -5 @blane said:

Are you gettin any answers in the Chat?

Yes Blane I was, I am afraid the discussion was a little over the head of most folks. But, it made sense to me and my half-wit science mind.