The role of transcription factors in erythroid development.
Many DNA-binding proteins (transcription factors) that are expressed specifically in erythroid cells have been identified during the past 5 years, and more are yet to be discovered or fully described. These factors play key roles in the regulation of gene expression by combining to co-ordinate the synthesis of messenger RNA levels for essentially all known erythroid genes. Here we review some of the experiments describing the properties of these transcription factors, and provide a simple conceptual framework for how they might evoke either positive or negative responses by communication with the basal transcriptional apparatus (operating at the promoters of erythroid-specific genes) to either actively inhibit or amplify transcription.
Bungert
J
J
Department of Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Molecular Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
Engel
J D
JD
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000235:genetics*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors