Definition

Noun: The process by which the information encoded in a gene is used to direct the synthesis of a functional gene product, such as a protein or a specific RNA molecule. This involves the transcription of DNA into messenger RNA (mRNA) and, for protein-coding genes, the subsequent translation of that mRNA into a protein.

Usage

This term is used exclusively in the fields of genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry to describe the fundamental process through which genes exert their function. It refers to the overall process, not just a single step.

Examples

• The study focused on the gene expression of factors involved in cell growth.
• Scientists can measure gene expression levels to understand how a cell responds to a drug.
• The regulation of gene expression is crucial for an organism's development and health.

Advanced Usage

• Differential gene expression: Refers to the process where genes are expressed at different levels in different cell types or under different conditions. This is what makes a liver cell different from a brain cell.
  • Differential gene expression analysis revealed which genes were activated by the treatment.
• Gene expression profiling: The measurement of the activity (expression level) of thousands of genes at once to create a global picture of cellular function.
  • Gene expression profiling is a common technique in cancer research.

Variants and Related Words

• Express (verb): In genetics, to "express a gene" means to undergo the process of gene expression.
  • The gene is expressed only in muscle tissue.
• Gene (noun): A unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring.
• Transcription (noun): The first step of gene expression, where a segment of DNA is copied into RNA (especially mRNA) by the enzyme RNA polymerase.
• Translation (noun): The second step in protein synthesis, where the mRNA sequence is decoded by a ribosome to produce a specific polypeptide chain.

Synonyms

• Genetic expression

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Regulation of gene expression: The wide variety of mechanisms that cells use to increase or decrease the production of specific gene products.
  • Hormones often act by influencing the regulation of gene expression.
• Gene expression analysis: Any of several techniques used to measure the levels of gene expression.
• Housekeeping gene: A gene that is expressed at a relatively constant level in all cells and conditions, often used as a reference in gene expression studies.

Noun

1. conversion of the information encoded in a gene first into messenger RNA and then to a protein