Gene Expression is the fundamental biological process by which the information encoded within a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, such as a protein or a functional RNA molecule. In endocrinology, this term describes how hormonal signals ultimately translate into cellular action by controlling the transcription and translation rates of specific genes. Optimal health relies on the precise, context-dependent regulation of this expression across tissues. It is the operational manifestation of the genome.
Origin
This term comes from molecular biology, describing the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein, as defined by the central dogma. Its application in health science emphasizes that while genes are fixed, their expression levels are highly dynamic and responsive to environmental and internal cues, including hormones.
Mechanism
Steroid hormones, like testosterone or cortisol, act as ligands that bind to their respective intracellular receptors, forming complexes that attach to specific DNA sequences called hormone response elements. This binding event recruits transcriptional machinery, either promoting or suppressing the initiation of messenger RNA (mRNA) synthesis from the target gene. Subsequently, this mRNA is translated into the final protein product, executing the cell’s programmed response dictated by the original hormonal stimulus.
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