Specific enzyme production in eukaryotic cells.

Abstract

In the developing embryo, a complex program of gene activation and inactivation unfolds which produces the final differentiated end-state of the organism. Furthermore, since the genetic potential is identical in each cell of an adult metazoan, differences in cell phenotype must result from differential expression of these genes. It is the purpose of the present article to discuss some possible molecular mechanisms which might underly the processes of development, differentiation, and enzyme induction. Some of the conclusions are based on work in model systems, in which certain aspects of gene regulation can be more easily studied. Although our models are neither adult organisms nor developing embryos, the regulatory mechanisms which operate in them can help in understanding more complex developmental processes and alterations in cellular physiology of intact higher organisms.