Gene silencing by the thyroid hormone receptor.
The thyroid hormone receptors (TR) are able to bind DNA and to repress transcription in the absence of thyroid hormone. This repression function is an important feature of TRs as aberrant silencing can lead to severe diseases and developmental abnormalities. TR utilizes different mechanisms to achieve repression of target genes including the recruitment of cofactors called corepressors and interference with the basal transcriptional machinery. Recent studies have revealed an important role of chromatin in TR silencing involving different histone modifications and the responsible enzymes. Furthermore, the transcriptional properties of TR depend on the type of the TR DNA-binding elements. This review will focus on the molecular basis of gene silencing by TR and diseases caused by aberrant functioning.
Eckey
Maren
M
Genetic Institute, Justus-Liebig-University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 58-62, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
Moehren
Udo
U
Baniahmad
Aria
A
D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D002843:Chromatin; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; D012097:Repressor Proteins