Abstract
This study was carried out to pursue the observation that the level of gene expression is affected by gene length in the human genome. As transcription is a time-dependent process, it is expected that gene expression will be inversely related to gene length, and this is found to be the case. Here, I describe the results of studies performed to test whether the gene length/gene expression linkage is affected by two factors, the chromosome where the gene is located and the tissue where it is expressed. Studies were performed with a database of 3538 human genes that were divided into short, midlength, and long groups. Chromosome groups were then compared in the expression level of genes with the same length. A similar analysis was performed with 19 human tissues. Tissue-specific groups were compared in the expression level of genes with the same length. Both chromosome and tissue studies revealed new information about the role of gene length in control of gene expression. Chromosome studies led to the identification of two chromosome populations that differ in the expression level of short genes. A high level of expression was observed in chromosomes 2-10, 12-15, and 18 and a low level in 1, 11, 16-17, 19-20, 22, and 24. Studies with tissue-specific genes led to the identification of two tissues, brain and liver, which differ in the expression level of short genes. The results are interpreted to support the view that the level of a gene's expression can be affected by the chromosome and the tissue where the gene is transcribed.
Highlights
It is well established that gene length is associated with the level of gene expression
As time is required to complete the transcription of a pre-mRNA molecule, more short molecules are expected to be completed in the same time as fewer longer ones [7, 8]
If a long gene is to be expressed at a level higher than that determined by its length, other mechanisms must be at work to adjust the level
Summary
It is well established that gene length is associated with the level of gene expression. If a long gene is to be expressed at a level higher than that determined by its length, other mechanisms must be at work to adjust the level. Expression of a gene may be thought of as a background or default level determined by the gene’s length overlaid by other mechanisms to adjust the level according to the requirements for the gene product. Such additional mechanisms may involve well-studied factors such as CpG islands, epigenetic signaling, promoters, and transcription factors [9, 10]
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