Gene Expression and its Regulation: An Evolutionary Perspective

This textbook for graduate students provides a conceptual framework on the diversity and evolutionary relationship of gene regulatory systems. It elucidates the importance and significance of the physical and chemical principles that underpin gene regulatory processes. The content of the book is divided into five sections; the first section presents the basic organization of genes, genomes, and fundamentals of gene regulation. The subsequent chapter describes the functional manifestations of gene expression and its regulatory machinery. Section II focuses on the evolution and discusses the basics of the evolutionary process and the characteristics of different life domains. A particular focus is on the evolution of gene regulatory systems, environmental influences on gene expression, and the relationship between gene expression and adaptation. Section III focuses on regulation at different levels of the gene expression process, e.g., on transcription, translation, and protein modification. The section IV present details of gene regulatory systems in three domains of life; archaea, eubacteria, and eukarya. In the final section, the book underscores the potential to artificially intervene and alter gene regulation and attempt to re-engineer gene regulatory circuits.