does position of genes matter?

On Thu, 13 May 2004 16:54:48 +0000 (UTC), [email hidden] (pslant)

Quoted message said:

I'm trying to make sense of some fundamental genetics and I
struggle with this question; If the only information in the
dna that is relevant are genes (correct me if I'm wrong) it
shouldnt matter if 2 genes changed position? Or does it? If
it does make a difference: could conceivably 2 genes have
the exact same nukleotid-sequence?

The reason I ask is to understand the "placement" of
proteins. If a protein from a specific gene is placed in
som gland,how does it know where to go. If the answer is
that only cells in that gland "use" that specific gene
,how does cells in other parts of the body know NOT to
make that protein.

As you see I'm new to this, references would be much
appreciated!

The references would be any intro biology textbook. A
relatively elementary on-line source is emc.mari-emc.mari-Open ↗
copa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookTOC.html The "hard-
core" stuff is listed at ncbi.nlm.nih.goventrezOpen ↗
/query.fcgi?db=Books&itool=toolbar

The "content" of the gene is the sequence of nucleotides
that specifies the amino acids in a particular protein.
However, there are control areas that determine which
particular genes are to be "read" in any particular cell at
any particular time. It does seem to be important just where
the genes are placed in the sense that it may be possible to
"unwind" a length of DNA and make it readable or else to
"wind it up" and make it unreadable. Being located in the
proper region is then important.

Each cell only activates specific genes, hence makes
specific proteins. Of course there are many proteins that
are basic to fundamental processes of biochemistry or
molecular biology and are expressed in all cells. However
each differentiated cell type also makes its own particular
proteins. Also, cells make specific proteins only at
specific times or in response to particular conditions or
environments. Some of this comes under the subject of "cell
differentiation". Others under the topic of "gene
regulation" or "gene expression". Search google for these
subjects, also adding the term "tutorial" to help you select
suitable sites to investigate.

"pslant" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm trying to make sense of some fundamental genetics
and I struggle with this question; If the only
information in the dna that is relevant are genes
(correct me if I'm wrong)

If, by a "gene" you mean a protein coding sequence, then you
are wrong. There are other things in DNA between coding
sequences that are relevant.

Quoted message said:

it shouldnt matter if 2 genes changed position? Or
does it?

It sometimes makes a big difference. But sometimes only a
subtle one.

Quoted message said:

If it does make a difference: could conceivably 2 genes
have the exact same nukleotid-sequence?

Yes

Quoted message said:

The reason I ask is to understand the "placement" of
proteins. If a protein from a specific gene is placed in
som gland,how does it know where to go. If the answer is
that only cells in that gland "use" that specific gene,
how does cells in other parts of the body know NOT to make
that protein?

THAT is a VERY big topic.

Quoted message said:

As you see I'm new to this, references would be much
appreciated!

I am really impressed that someone who is "new to this"
would ask such penetrating questions. There are whole
research disciplines, with conferences and journals of their
own, devoted to these topics.

May I suggest that the best way to get a "big picture" view
of what is known about these things is to go to the library
and pick up a textbook on molecular biology or molecular
genetics. Watson or Alberts would be good. No need to read
the whole thing - just use the table of contents to find the
topics you are interested in, and then use the index to find
the prerequisite info you need to understand things.

The WEB is a useful resource, but there is no substitute for
a textbook in providing the framework for understanding a
subject. Not yet, anyways.

"r norman" <rsn_@_comcast.net> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 13 May 2004 16:54:48 +0000 (UTC), [email hidden]

(pslant) said:

As you see I'm new to this, references would be much
appreciated!

The references would be any intro biology textbook. A
relatively elementary on-line source is emc.ma-emc.ma-Open ↗
ricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookTOC.html The "hard-
core" stuff is listed at ncbi.nlm.nih.goventrOpen ↗
ez/query.fcgi?db=Books&itool=toolbar

Wow! What a wonderful pair of resources. Thanks for the
links. I take back what I wrote about having to go to the
library to read a textbook.

pslant said:

I'm trying to make sense of some fundamental genetics and
I struggle with this question; If the only information in
the dna that is relevant are genes (correct me if I'm
wrong) it shouldnt matter if 2 genes changed position? Or
does it? If it does make a difference: could conceivably 2
genes have the exact same nukleotid-sequence?

The reason I ask is to understand the "placement" of
proteins. If a protein from a specific gene is placed in
som gland,how does it know where to go. If the answer is
that only cells in that gland "use" that specific gene
,how does cells in other parts of the body know NOT to
make that protein.

As you see I'm new to this, references would be much
appreciated!

You may be interested in position effects. The original work
was done in Drosophila in the 1950's and 60's. A Google or
PubMed search using "position effect AND genetics" should
turn up the references that you need.

Ron Okimoto