Final answer:
At least three-quarters of the human genome is involved in making RNA, with much of this RNA contributing to regulatory functions, including gene regulation. ENCODE has found that around 80% of the genome is active, consisting largely of regulatory sequences that affect gene expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the composition of the human genome sequence involves recognizing the extensive role that regulatory elements play.
It is now known that a substantial portion of the genome is involved in the production of RNA, which includes not just the coding of proteins but also regulatory functions.
According to ENCODE (The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements), about 80% of the genome is active, with much of this being attributed to regulatory sequences – the on/off switches for genes.
These regulatory elements include approximately 4 million protein binding sites that have a direct impact on gene expression, highlighting the sophisticated control the genome exercises over genetic information within cells.
Furthermore, there are also a variety of regulatory genes and regions such as promoters, enhancers, and silencers, all of which play significant roles in the process of gene expression.
These elements can be found both close to (proximal) and far from (distal) the genes they regulate, indicating a complex regulatory landscape spread across the genome.
It is this intricate interaction between the structural genes and regulatory elements that ensures precise control of the expression of genes, which is crucial for processes like cellular differentiation and response to environmental signals.