Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes
Overview of Eukaryotic Gene Regulation
Problem 1e
Textbook Question
Devoting a few sentences to each, describe the following structures or complexes and their effects on eukaryotic gene expression:
Dicer

1
Dicer is an enzyme that plays a critical role in the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, which regulates gene expression in eukaryotic cells.
It processes double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and precursor microRNAs (pre-miRNAs) into small RNA molecules, such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and mature microRNAs (miRNAs).
These small RNA molecules are typically 20-25 nucleotides in length and are essential for post-transcriptional gene silencing.
The siRNAs or miRNAs produced by Dicer are incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), where they guide the complex to complementary mRNA targets.
Once bound to the target mRNA, the RISC complex can either degrade the mRNA or inhibit its translation, effectively reducing or silencing the expression of the corresponding gene.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Dicer
Dicer is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. It processes long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and precursor microRNAs (pre-miRNAs) into short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and mature microRNAs (miRNAs). These small RNA molecules are essential for regulating gene expression by targeting mRNA for degradation or inhibiting its translation.
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RNA Interference (RNAi)
RNA interference is a biological process in which small RNA molecules inhibit gene expression by binding to complementary mRNA sequences. This mechanism is vital for controlling gene expression, defending against viral infections, and maintaining genome stability. Dicer's role in generating siRNAs and miRNAs is a key step in the RNAi pathway, allowing for precise regulation of target genes.
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Gene Expression Regulation
Gene expression regulation refers to the mechanisms that control the timing and amount of gene product (RNA or protein) produced in a cell. This regulation can occur at various stages, including transcription, RNA processing, and translation. Dicer, through its production of small RNAs, influences gene expression by silencing specific mRNAs, thereby affecting cellular functions and responses to environmental changes.
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Related Practice
Multiple Choice
General transcription factors are those that are ______.
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