Protein production is tightly regulated at multiple levels to ensure that proteins are synthesized as needed. Some of the key regulatory mechanisms include:
- Gene Expression: Regulation of gene expression determines which genes are transcribed into mRNA. - mRNA Stability: The stability of mRNA molecules can influence how long they are available for translation. - Ribosome Availability: The number and activity of ribosomes can affect the rate of protein synthesis. - Post-Translational Modifications: After translation, proteins may undergo modifications such as phosphorylation or glycosylation, which can alter their function and stability.