Genetic Information Flow and Regulation

The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein is a fundamental process that governs cellular functions. The central dogma of molecular biology describes this flow of information: DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is translated into protein. Transcription is the process by which RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA using the DNA template, leading to the production of different types of RNA molecules, such as mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA. Translation occurs in the ribosomes, where mRNA is decoded to assemble specific amino acids into a polypeptide chain. Gene expression is tightly regulated at multiple levels to ensure the precise control of protein production in response to cellular signals and environmental cues. Transcription factors, epigenetic modifications, and microRNAs play key roles in modulating gene expression. Dysregulation of gene expression can lead to various human diseases, highlighting the importance of understanding genetic information flow and its regulation in cellular processes.