An extensive network of coupling among gene expression machines.
Gene expression in eukaryotes requires several multi-component cellular machines. Each machine carries out a separate step in the gene expression pathway, which includes transcription, several pre-messenger RNA processing steps and the export of mature mRNA to the cytoplasm. Recent studies lead to the view that, in contrast to a simple linear assembly line, a complex and extensively coupled network has evolved to coordinate the activities of the gene expression machines. The extensive coupling is consistent with a model in which the machines are tethered to each other to form 'gene expression factories' that maximize the efficiency and specificity of each step in gene expression.
Maniatis
Tom
T
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. maniatis@mcb.harvard.edu
Reed
Robin
R
D015870:Gene Expression; D008957:Models, Genetic; D011061:Poly A / Q000378:metabolism; D012315:RNA Caps; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000378:metabolism; D012326:RNA Splicing; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D012315:RNA Caps; D012322:RNA Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011061:Poly A; D012319:RNA Polymerase II