Final answer:
The control of gene product levels after transcription but before translation is known as post-transcriptional regulation. It is a crucial mechanism for ensuring that proteins are made in appropriate amounts and at the proper times, forming part of the broader gene expression regulatory framework.
Step-by-step explanation:
The control of a gene product's levels or activity after transcription has taken place is called post-transcriptional regulation. This involves processes that occur after an mRNA molecule is transcribed from DNA but before it is translated into a protein. These processes can include mRNA processing, mRNA transport from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and mRNA stability or binding to ribosomes.
Post-transcriptional regulation is essential for controlling the rate at which mRNA is translated into protein, as well as the timing and location of protein synthesis. It ensures that proteins are produced in the right amounts and at the correct times as needed by the cell. This regulation is one aspect of the overarching mechanism of gene expression control, which also includes epigenetic, transcriptional, translational, and post-translational control.