MOLECULAR MEDICINE - REGULATION OF GENE-EXPRESSION

Genetics is a language with rules of composition that give the tissues of the body their special traits. These rules govern the activation of particular subgroups of genes, which determine not only the unique characteristics of a cell type but also whether it remains quiescent, divides, or dies. The timing of gene activation is very important. If genes are activated in the wrong order, a cell may miss a critical step in its development. Moreover, the expression of a gene at the wrong time in the cell's life cycle is a frequent misstep in the progression toward cancer. Understanding the… © 1994, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.