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The Role of Nutrition in Gene Expression: A Fertile Field for the Application of Molecular Biology¹

Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA 95616

In the past 20 yr, enormous strides have been made in the field of molecular biology. We are now in a period characterized by rapid progress in the understanding of the fundamentals of metabolic regulation as well as a deepening appreciation of the potential for biotechnological applications in research. Moreover, there has been an increase in the use of concepts evolved from molecular biology in the study of food components and essential nutrients as factors in control of gene expression. In this review, several examples are described that point out the utility of using the techniques of molecular biologists for nutrition-related problems. Many of the methods currently available for directly examining gene expression are often more simple than the indirect methods traditionally used, e.g., indirect methods involving specific protein or product isolation following appropriate labeling. Also, many of the methods used in molecular biology require less tissue for analyses than conventional methods, are less complex and less expensive than conventional methods.

KEY WORDS: • biotechnology • experimental nutrition • metabolic regulation

¹ Supported in part by National Institutes of Health grants HL15965 and AM 25358.

Manuscript received 2 August 1985. Revision accepted 6 November 1985.