Control of Transcription in Neurospora crassa

Abstract

Gene expression can be assessed by the amounts and types of RNA synthesized at any growth period. No differences were observed in the polynucleotide sequences of DNA from different organs, although large differences were noted among the rapidly labeled RNAs isolated from these tissues (1). The method of molecular hybridization has permitted measurement of the extent of gene activity. This technique has also helped in the identification of tissue-specific RNA by means of competition-hybridization experiments (2,3). All these studies indicated the existence of regulated gene activity as expressed by differential gene expression. Such a regulation has been suggested as a basic molecular event behind the processes of cell differentiation and morphogenesis.