title: ["Cis" and "trans" regulator elements of transcription].
abstract: The 5'-flanking region of genes is involved in transcription regulaton. Multiple nucleotidic cis-acting sites are spread out over a region of 400 bp, (mostly) upstream of the start point. Examples are given with TATA box, GC box, CCAAT box and some octamers. Transcription factors recognize cis-acting sites and bind to them. Some are required for transcription initiation. Others affect (usually enhance) the rate of initiation. Trans-regulator proteins contain two domains. One is responsible for binding to DNA (as for instance: Zn fingers, Leu zipper, positive homeotic domain). The other one is responsible for activity on transcription (as for instance: rich in Gln, rich in Pro, acidic alpha-helix domain). Some technics used for determination of the site of transcription initiation and of protein fixation on DNA are briefly described. It is hoped that a better comprehension of transcription mechanisms will offer new possibilities of investigation for acting in some varieties of protein synthesis dysfunctionnements.
authors.affiliation: CHU Saint-Antoine-Tenon, Paris.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Etienne
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brault
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Firmin
mesh_terms: D005809:Genes, Regulator / Q000235:genetics; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016385:TATA Box / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014157:Transcription Factors
vernacular_title: Les éléments "cis" et "trans"-régulateurs de la transcription.