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Concept

Gene

Gene

A region of genetic material used to produce a functional RNA; some genes also provide instructions for a protein.

Overview

EXPLORE BY LEVEL

A gene is a stretch of DNA or, in some , RNA that a cell can use to make a useful RNA molecule. Some RNAs are used to build proteins; other RNAs do jobs of their own. Nearby DNA control regions help determine when a gene is used.

Follow the Connections

See how Gene links to other biological records.

Open network
ProcessTranscriptiontranscribed duringGenomic featurePromotercan contain
All 2 Structured Connections
Gene · ConceptTRANSCRIBED DURING →Transcription · Process
Gene · ConceptCAN CONTAIN →Promoter · Genomic feature

Recommended Reading

Trusted references for learning more about Gene.

textbookFrom DNA to RNAMolecular Biology of the Cell · NCBI Bookshelf guideGene ExpressionNational Human Genome Research Institute guidePromoterNational Human Genome Research Institute
Research Claims

Gene boundaries are operational and context-dependent: transcription start sites, transcript isoforms, promoters, enhancers, and termination sites can vary among cell types and conditions. A gene should not be equated with only its protein-coding sequence.