The term gene regulation refers to the process of increasing or decreasing the production of protein products from genes. To begin gene expression, mRNA is produced from genes (recall that this process is called transcription). mRNA is then translated into protein in the cytoplasm.  By increasing the amount of mRNA that is produced from any particular gene, the amount of that particular protein product can be increased. Most genes are regulated by turning transcription on or off, and by subtle increases or decreases in transcription.