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C. Translational Regulation

A diagram showing the translation of messenger R-N-A into lactase.
A diagram of a circle inside a larger oval. Outside the circle but within the oval is an orange ball with a red rectangle attached to it on its right-hand side. A right-pointing arrow to the right of the rectangle is labeled Translation. The arrow is marked with the letter C. It points to an irregularly shaped, two-part mass consisting of various multi-colored loops and spirals. The mass is labeled Lactase.

Gene expression can also be regulated by controlling the translation of m R N A into proteins.

Regulatory proteins may bind to specific sequences of m R N A and prevent attachment to the ribosome. In the case of the exciting new field of RNA interference, small pieces of R N A bind to m R N A to trigger degradation or block translation, thus shutting down gene expression. This newly discovered mechanism is now known to be another major way that eukaryotic cells regulate gene expression.