Epigenetic gene silencing by Runx proteins.
Runx family proteins have the potential for either activating or suppressing gene expression in a context-dependent manner. There are several mechanisms by which transcriptional repression can occur. A wide range of locus inactivation, that is often called gene silencing, is thought to be achieved by chromatin modifications. Recently, Runx family proteins were found to have an essential role in either temporal transcriptional repression or irreversible epigenetic silencing at the CD4 locus through binding to a CD4 silencer at different stages of development. These findings link Runx function to epigenetic gene regulation, and shed new light on the mechanisms by which Runx represses target gene expression.
Taniuchi
Ichiro
I
Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan. taniuchi@rcai.riken.jp
Littman
Dan R
DR
D000818:Animals; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D050676:Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit; D050677:Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit; D050657:Core Binding Factor alpha Subunits; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D020868:Gene Silencing; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D037941:Silencer Elements, Transcriptional / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D015704:CD4 Antigens; C428884:CD4 silencer, African green monkey; D050676:Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit; D050677:Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit; D050657:Core Binding Factor alpha Subunits; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors