title: SOX-partner code for cell specification: Regulatory target selection and underlying molecular mechanisms.
abstract: Transcriptional regulatory functions of SOX proteins generally require the cooperation of partner factors that bind DNA in the vicinity of the SOX site. Each SOX-partner pair selects a specific group of regulatory target genes, with resultant gene expression patterns characterizing a particular cell differentiation state. Specific examples include the SOX2-OCT3/4 pairing in ES cells and the SOX2-PAX6 pairing in visual system primordia. When a component of a SOX-partner pair is exchanged with another factor, an overt transition of gene expression occurs in a cell, leading to the progression of developmental processes. When a SOX-partner protein pair activates its own genes, the global cell/tissue state is stabilized. Two major molecular mechanisms underlie SOX-partner factor interactions: (1) cooperative DNA binding; and (2) protein interactions dependent upon DNA binding which elicit a large transactivation potential. In vivo evidence for and molecular mechanisms of the cell specification code attributed to the SOX-partner factor complexes are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. kondohh@fbs.osaka-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hisato
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kondoh
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kamachi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011485:Protein Binding; D055747:SOX Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D055747:SOX Transcription Factors