How Do Mutations in Non-Coding Regions Affect Gene Expression?
Mutations in non-coding regions can lead to changes in gene expression in several ways: - Promoter mutations can reduce or enhance the binding of RNA polymerase, affecting the initiation of transcription. - Enhancer mutations can alter the binding affinity of transcription factors, leading to changes in the spatial and temporal expression of genes. - Splicing mutations in introns can result in the inclusion or exclusion of exons, producing aberrant protein products. - Non-coding RNA mutations can impact the biogenesis and function of miRNAs and lncRNAs, leading to dysregulation of target genes.
