title: A structural perspective on Mediator function.
abstract: Gene transcription by RNA polymerase II requires the multiprotein coactivator complex Mediator. Mediator was identified two decades ago, but its molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood, because structural studies are hampered by its large size, modularity, and flexibility. Here we collect all available structural data on Mediator and discuss their functional implications. Progress was made in understanding the interactions of Mediator with gene-specific transcriptional regulators and the general transcription machinery. However, around 80% of the Mediator structure remains unknown and details on the Mediator-Pol II interface are lacking. In the future, an integrated structural biology approach may unravel the functional architecture of Mediator-regulated promoter assemblies and holds the promise of understanding a key mechanism of gene regulation.
authors.affiliation: Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 25, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Larivière
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seizl
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cramer
mesh_terms: D004257:DNA Polymerase II / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D056892:Mediator Complex / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D056892:Mediator Complex; D012319:RNA Polymerase II; D004257:DNA Polymerase II