title: The mediator of RNA polymerase II.
abstract: Mediator (TRAP/ARC/PC2) is a large (22-28 subunit) protein complex that binds RNA polymerase II and controls transcription from class II genes. The evolutionarily conserved core of Mediator is found in all eukaryotes. It binds RNA polymerase II and is probably critical for basal transcription but it also mediates activation and repression of transcription. During evolution the complex has acquired additional species-specific subunits. These serve as an interface for regulatory factors and support specific signalling pathways. Recent mechanistic studies are consistent with the hypothesis that Mediator marks genes for binding by RNA polymerase II whereupon it subsequently activates the preinitiation complex. It is further likely that Mediator coordinates the recruitment of chromatin-modifying cofactor activities.
authors.affiliation: National Research Center for Environment and Health-GSF, Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Immunology, Marchioninistrasse 25, 81377, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blazek
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mittler
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meisterernst
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D056892:Mediator Complex; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; C113182:DRIP, VDR interacting protein complex; D056892:Mediator Complex; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D012319:RNA Polymerase II