Mediator--a universal complex in transcriptional regulation.
The Mediator complex is essential for basal and regulated expression of nearly all RNA polymerase II-dependent genes in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome. Mediator acts as a bridge, conveying regulatory information from enhancers and other control elements to the promoter. It is now clear that Mediator-like complexes also exist in higher eukaryotic cells and that they have an important role in metazoan transcriptional regulation. However, the exact mechanism of Mediator-dependent transcriptional regulation remains unclear. We review here some recent advances in our understanding of Mediator structure and function. We also discuss a model to account for the functional and evolutionary relationship between yeast and metazoan Mediators. As an appendix to this review, we have created a database, MEDB, in which we have compiled information about all the S. cerevisiae Mediator subunits and their homologues in other eukaryotic cells (http://bio.lundberg.gu.se/medb/).
Gustafsson
C M
CM
Department of Medical Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Novum, S-141 86 Huddinge, Sweden. claes.gustafsson@mednut.ki.se
Samuelsson
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T
D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D012319:RNA Polymerase II