Activation domains of gene-specific transcription factors: are histones among their targets?
Activation domains of promoter-specific transcription factors are critical entities involved in recruitment of multiple protein complexes to gene promoters. The activation domains often retain functionality when transferred between very diverse eukaryotic phyla, yet the amino acid sequences of activation domains do not bear any specific consensus or secondary structure. Activation domains function in the context of chromatin structure and are critical for chromatin remodeling, which is associated with transcription initiation. The mechanisms of direct and indirect recruitment of chromatin-remodeling and histone-modifying complexes, including mechanisms involving direct interactions between activation domains and histones, are discussed.
Erkine
Alexandre M
AM
Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Vermillion 57069, USA. aerkine@usd.edu
D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D006657:Histones / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000737:chemistry; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D002843:Chromatin; D006657:Histones; D009707:Nucleosomes; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA