Proteins are produced in the cytoplasm of cells. You ll find in our web site, under Research and Clinical Trials, a brief discussion of Dr. Richert s research that includes studies of gene expression, with particular attention to a gene referred to as Sp3. Let s start with proteins.
Proteins are chains of amino acids that perform most of the functions of our bodies.
Our bodies are made up of tens of thousands of different proteins that allow our bodies to carry out all of the functions of life. The production of proteins is goverened by genes, which are a part of our DNA and which are inherited from our parents. DNA is found in chromosomes in the nuclei of our bodies cells. The proteins are made in the cytoplasm of the cells, outside of the nuclei. So, when you ve eaten a meal and your digestive system needs to have digestive enzymes available to digest your food, the genes for the various digestive enzymes are turned on in cells of your digestive tract, that is, these genes direct the production of messenger RNAs in the nucleus, which then travel out of the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where they control the production of the digestive enzymes, which are proteins.