Gene expression
Why do identical cells make different amounts of mRNA?
Open access · cc by · source: Europe PMC
Mammalian genes switch rarely between ON and OFF, so intrinsically random transcriptional bursts create large cell-to-cell mRNA differences.
Key findings
Genes transition infrequently between active and inactive states; bursts are intrinsically random (not mainly extrinsic) and affect whole genomic loci, including RNA polymerase II large-subunit mRNA.
Methodology
Used FISH to count individual reporter and native mRNA molecules in clonal mammalian cells and tested whether variation was intrinsic or extrinsic.
Limitations
Does not map every mammalian gene’s burst kinetics in vivo tissues, or prove a single molecular switch mechanism for all loci.
How this study connects
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