In: Biology
Almost all cells within an animal contain DNA with the same sequence, yet different cells can have very different properties and gene expression patterns. What are the primary mechanisms that facilitate the existence of distinct cell types in eukaryotes?
# Regulation of gene expression is the basis for the cellular differentiation, development and morphogenesis. Different cells have different types of regulation in their gene expression pattern. Based on the function performed by the cells, gene expression pattern differs.
This gene expression regulation is done by epigenetic chromosome remodelling. Deacetylation of histone activates the gene expression. Metylation of the DNA and acetylation of histone inactivates the gene expression.
Though all cells made up of the same chromosome, their function needs only certain genes to be expressed and rest of the genome should be kept silenced. For example, stomach cells secrete HCL and pepsin and small intestine cells secrete enzymes for the digestion.