The Second Edinburgh International Workshop was held in September, 1984 and took as its topic the coordinated regulation of gene expression. The intention of this series of workshops is to promote exchange of ideas and data between scientists and clinicians whose interests span molecular and cell biology, development and differentiation, oncology, and genetic and developmental pathologies. It is hoped that such interdisciplinary discussions may give rise to fruitful insights. The meetings are structured to give ample time for discussion after each formal presentation and culminate in a session of general discussion which is reported at the end of the volume of proceedings. We are very grateful to the participants, all of whom participated in the discussion and whose contributions were essential to the success of the meeting. Novel ideas were often put forward and explored thoroughly from different angles. We normally expect to achieve quite rapid publication of the proceedings of the meeting and are grateful to authors who produced typescripts of their contributions expeditiously, but, as may sometimes be the case with multi-author works, some contributors had difficulty in meeting schedules for submitting manuscripts or corrections of the text of the discussion, and in one case we have been unable to publish any record of the contribution. Our committment to the publication of the discussion, allowing participants to make corrections to the transcript of the session, such as insertion of references and clarification of oral contributions, has also imposed some delay.

Bacteria posses impressive ability to adapt to their environment. Adaptation is accomplished mainly by adjustment of the gene expression pattern. Studies on transcript profiling in E.coli demonstrated the existence of direct correlations between the global gene expression patterns and different phases. Previous work indicated that in E.coli the transcription is controlled by a global regulatory network whose main components are - DNA topoisomerases, chromatin proteins and the RNA polymerase. Aim of this project was to understand the structural mechanism of interaction of the components (DNA supercoiling and chromatin proteins) and the underlying functional coordination of gene expression in E.coli. To understand the molecular mechanism of the interplay, the problem was approached at two levels of complexity (1) global - using a novel DNA microarray-based approach combining mutations in the genes of chromatin proteins with directional changes of DNA superhelicity and (2) local - at the level of individual gene promoter, using tyrT promoter system. The study has led us to propose that the global transcription is spatiotemporally coordinated by the differential distribution of two types of information, 'analog' and 'digital'. The digital or discontinuous property of information is manifest in the pattern of expressed genes depending on the distribution of the analog component - DNA supercoiling - in different parts of the genome. The analog component is continuously converted in the pattern of expressed genes and vice versa, thereby modulating the physiology to a dynamic equilibrium. On the example of tyrT promoter we demonstrate how the sequence organization of the promoter determines the supercoiling sensitivity of the promoters. We also show that the transcription from a strong promoter, like tyrT, is a consequence of the local effect of binding of chromatin protein FIS at the promoter and the general effect of FIS on the average superhelical density of the DNA.

A much-needed guide through the overwhelming amount of literature in the field. Comprehensive and detailed, this book combines background information with the most recentinsights. It introduces current concepts, emphasizing the transcriptional control of genetic information. Moreover, it links data on the structure of regulatory proteins with basic cellular processes. Both advanced students and experts will find answers to such intriguing questions as: - How are programs of specific gene repertoires activated and controlled? - Which genes drive and control morphogenesis? - Which genes govern tissue-specific tasks? - How do hormones control gene expression in coordinating the activities of different tissues? An abundant number of clearly presented glossary terms facilitates understanding of the biological background. Speacial feature: over 2200 (!) literature references.

This up-to-date guide focuses on the understanding of key regulatory mechanisms governing gene expression in Escherichia coli. Studies of E. coli not only provide the first models of gene regulation, but research continues to yield different control mechanisms.

A comprehensive compendium of scholarly contributions relating to bacterial virulence gene regulation. • Provides insights into global control and the switch between distinct infectious states (e.g., acute vs. chronic). • Considers key issues about the mechanisms of gene regulation relating to: surface factors, exported toxins and export mechanisms. • Reflects on how the regulation of intracellular lifestyles and the response to stress can ultimately have an impact on the outcome of an infection. • Highlights and examines some emerging regulatory mechanisms of special significance. • Serves as an ideal compendium of valuable topics for students, researchers and faculty with interests in how the mechanisms of gene regulation ultimately affect the outcome of an array of bacterial infectious diseases.

This textbook aims to describe the fascinating area of eukaryotic gene regulation for graduate students in all areas of the biomedical sciences. Gene expression is essential in shaping the various phenotypes of cells and tissues and as such, regulation of gene expression is a fundamental aspect of nearly all processes in physiology, both in healthy and in diseased states. This pivotal role for the regulation of gene expression makes this textbook essential reading for students of all the biomedical sciences, in order to be better prepared for their specialized disciplines. A complete understanding of transcription factors and the processes that alter their activity is a major goal of modern life science research. The availability of the whole human genome sequence (and that of other eukaryotic genomes) and the consequent development of next-generation sequencing technologies have significantly changed nearly all areas of the biological sciences. For example, the genome-wide location of histone modifications and transcription factor binding sites, such as provided by the ENCODE consortium, has greatly improved our understanding of gene regulation. Therefore, the focus of this book is the description of the post-genome understanding of gene regulation. The purpose of this book is to provide, in a condensed form, an overview on the present understanding of the mechanisms of gene regulation. The authors are not aiming to compete with comprehensive treatises, but rather focus on the essentials. Therefore, the authors have favored a high figure-to-text ratio following the rule stating that “a picture tells more than thousand words”. The content of the book is based on the lecture course, which is given by Prof. Carlberg since 2001 at the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio. The book is subdivided into 4 sections and 13 chapters. Following the Introduction there are three sections, which take a view on gene regulation from the perspective of transcription factors, chromatin and non-coding RNA, respectively. Besides its value as a textbook, Mechanisms of Gene Regulation will be a useful reference for individuals working in biomedical laboratories.

There is now compelling evidence that the complexity of higher organisms correlates with the relative amount of non-coding RNA rather than the number of protein-coding genes. Previously dismissed as “junk DNA”, it is the non-coding regions of the genome that are responsible for regulation, facilitating complex temporal and spatial gene expression through the combinatorial effect of numerous mechanisms and interactions working together to fine-tune gene expression. The major regions involved in regulation of a particular gene are the 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions and introns. In addition, pervasive transcription of complex genomes produces a variety of non-coding transcripts that interact with these regions and contribute to regulation. This book discusses recent insights into the regulatory roles of the untranslated gene regions and non-coding RNAs in the control of complex gene expression, as well as the implications of this in terms of organism complexity and evolution.​

This comprehensive account of the human herpesviruses provides an encyclopedic overview of their basic virology and clinical manifestations. This group of viruses includes human simplex type 1 and 2, Epstein–Barr virus, Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, cytomegalovirus, HHV6A, 6B and 7, and varicella-zoster virus. The viral diseases and cancers they cause are significant and often recurrent. Their prevalence in the developed world accounts for a major burden of disease, and as a result there is a great deal of research into the pathophysiology of infection and immunobiology. Another important area covered within this volume concerns antiviral therapy and the development of vaccines. All these aspects are covered in depth, both scientifically and in terms of clinical guidelines for patient care. The text is illustrated generously throughout and is fully referenced to the latest research and developments.