Insulators and promoters: closer than we think.
Insulators prevent promiscuous gene regulation by restricting the action of enhancers and silencers. Recent studies have revealed a number of similarities between insulators and promoters, including binding of specific transcription factors, chromatin-modification signatures and localization to specific subnuclear positions. We propose that enhancer-blockers and silencing barrier-insulators might have evolved as specialized derivatives of promoters and that the two types of element use related mechanisms to mediate their distinct functions. These insights can help to reconcile different models of insulator action.
Raab
Jesse R
JR
Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, Sinsheimer Labs, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA.
Kamakaka
Rohinton T
RT
D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D038101:Insulator Elements / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008957:Models, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
D014157:Transcription Factors