Interchromosomal huddle kickstarts antiviral defense.
Long-distance chromosomal interactions are emerging as a potential mechanism of gene expression control. In this issue, Apostolou and Thanos (2008) describe how viral infection elicits interchromosomal associations between the interferon-beta (IFN-beta) gene enhancer and DNA binding sites of the transcription factor NF-kappaB, resulting in the initiation of transcription and an antiviral response.
Schoenfelder
Stefan
S
The Babraham Institute, Laboratory of Chromatin and Gene Expression, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK.
Fraser
Peter
P
D002875:Chromosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology*
D016328:NF-kappa B; D014157:Transcription Factors