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Transcriptional regulation is the process by which a cell controls the conversion of DNA to RNA, thereby determining the expression levels of genes. This regulation is crucial for cellular differentiation, development, and response to environmental signals, involving complex interactions between DNA, RNA, proteins, and small molecules.
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Epigenetic modification refers to heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence, often influenced by environmental factors. These modifications can regulate gene activity and expression through mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone modification, impacting development, disease, and inheritance.
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RNA splicing is a critical process in eukaryotic gene expression where introns are removed from pre-mRNA and exons are joined to form mature mRNA. This process allows for the generation of multiple protein isoforms from a single gene through alternative splicing, contributing to proteomic diversity.
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Gene silencing is a regulatory mechanism where the expression of a gene is reduced or entirely suppressed through various biological processes. It plays a crucial role in controlling gene expression during development and in response to environmental stimuli, and is also pivotal in defending against viral infections and transposable elements.
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Chromatin remodeling is a dynamic process that alters the structure of chromatin, thereby regulating access to DNA for transcription, replication, and repair. This process is crucial for gene expression regulation and involves ATP-dependent Chromatin remodeling complexes that reposition, eject, or restructure nucleosomes.
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Transcription factors are proteins that regulate gene expression by binding to specific DNA sequences, thereby controlling the transfer of genetic information from DNA to mRNA. They play a crucial role in cellular processes, including development, differentiation, and response to environmental signals.
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Non-coding RNAs are RNA molecules that are not translated into proteins but play crucial roles in regulating gene expression and maintaining cellular function. They include various types such as microRNAs, long Non-coding RNAs, and small interfering RNAs, each with distinct mechanisms and functions in the cell.
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Signal transduction pathways are complex networks of molecular interactions that convert extracellular signals into specific cellular responses. These pathways play a critical role in regulating cellular activities such as growth, differentiation, and apoptosis by modulating gene expression and protein activity.
Post-translational modification (PTM) refers to the chemical alteration of proteins after their synthesis, which profoundly influences their function, localization, and interaction with other cellular molecules. These modifications are crucial for regulating cellular processes and can impact protein stability, activity, and signaling pathways.
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Gene regulatory networks are complex systems of molecular regulators that control gene expression levels, crucial for cellular function and development. They consist of interactions between DNA, RNA, proteins, and small molecules, orchestrating precise biological responses to internal and external stimuli.
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Cellular plasticity refers to the ability of cells to change their phenotype in response to environmental cues, developmental signals, or injury, allowing them to adapt to new functions or repair tissues. This dynamic process is crucial for development, tissue regeneration, and disease progression, including cancer and degenerative disorders.
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Direct lineage conversion, also known as transdifferentiation, is a process where one mature somatic cell type is directly converted into another without reverting to a pluripotent state. This approach holds significant potential for regenerative medicine as it bypasses the challenges associated with stem cell differentiation and pluripotency reprogramming.
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The non-canonical Wnt pathway is a signaling cascade that operates independently of β-catenin and is crucial for regulating cell movement and polarity during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. It involves distinct pathways such as the planar cell polarity pathway and the Wnt/Ca2+ pathway, influencing processes like cytoskeletal dynamics and gene expression modulation.
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Cell fate plasticity refers to the ability of a differentiated cell to change its identity or function, adapting to environmental cues or following perturbations. This plasticity is crucial for processes such as tissue regeneration, repair, and in the context of disease, impacting cancer progression and stem cell therapies.
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