Title :

Gene Regulatory Network

Description :

GRNs are remarkably diverse in their structure, but several basic properties are illustrated in this figure. In this example, two different signals impinge on a single target gene where the cis-regulatory elements provide for an integrated output in response to the two inputs. Signal molecule A triggers the conversion of inactive transcription factor A (green oval) into an active form that binds directly to the target gene's cis-regulatory sequence. The process for signal B is more complex. Signal B triggers the separation of inactive B (red oval) from an inhibitory factor (yellow rectangle). B is then free to form an active complex that binds to the active A transcription factor on the cis-regulatory sequence. The net output is expression of the target gene at a level determined by the action of factors A and B. In this way, cis-regulatory DNA sequences, together with the proteins that assemble on them, integrate information from multiple signaling inputs to produce an appropriately regulated readout. A more realistic network might contain multiple target genes regulated by signal A alone, others by signal B alone, and still others by the pair of A and B.

Citation :

Genomes to Life Program Roadmap, April 2001, DOE/SC-0036, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, http://genomicscience.energy.gov/.

Credit or Source :

Genome Management Information System, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Hi Res :

High-Resolution Image