Silk glands, protein synthesis

Regulation at the translational level and the role of informosomes. Many data indicate that regulation of gene expression takes place at the translational level in eukaryotic cells and that regulation of transcription is not the only mode of control of the kinds of proteins that are produced. Classic examples of translational control are the synthesis of such proteins as fibroin in the silk glands of the silkworm or hemoglobin production in reticulocytes. In both cases the synthesis of mRNA much precedes protein formation, and for a long period of time mRNA is accumulated without involvement in protein production. In fact, the peak of protein synthesis coincides with the period of depression of RNA production (Smirnov et al., 1964 see also review of Spirin, 1966). 

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