David S Latchman, University of London, London, UK
Published online: September 2007
DOI: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0005278.pub2
Transcription factors are regulatory proteins that can increase or decrease the transcription of a particular gene from deoxyribonucleic acid into the corresponding ribonucleic acid. They play a key role in embryonic development, the creation and maintenance of cell type‐ and tissue‐specific patterns of protein synthesis and the response to cellular signalling pathways.
Keywords: DNA binding; transcriptional activation; transcriptional repression; cellular signalling; human disease
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Figure 1.
Structure of (a) the yeast GCN4 factor and (b) the mammalian glucocorticoid receptor, indicating the distinct regions that mediate DNA binding or transcription activation. |
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Figure 2.
Potential mechanisms by which a transcription factor can repress gene expression. This can occur: (a) by the repressor (R) producing a tightly packed chromatin structure which prevents an activator (A) from binding; (b) by the repressor binding to the DNA‐binding site of the activator and preventing it from binding and activating gene expression; (c) by the repressor interacting with the activator in solution and preventing its DNA binding; (d) by the repressor binding to DNA with the activator and neutralizing its ability to activate gene expression or (e) by direct repression by an inhibitory transcription factor. ABS: activator‐binding site. |
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Figure 3.
Gene activation mediated by (a) the synthesis of a transcription factor only in a specific tissue or (b) activation of the transcription factor only in a specific tissue. |
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Figure 4.
Mechanisms by which transcription factors can be activated by posttranslational changes. The circle represents an active transcription factor, while the square represents a nonactive factor. The open box represents either an inhibitory protein or a portion of the factor, which has been cleaved off in the process of activation. L: ligand; P: phosphorylation. |
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