Mechanisms of Mediator complex action in transcriptional activation.
Mediator is a large multisubunit complex that plays a central role in the regulation of RNA Pol II transcribed genes. Conserved in overall structure and function among eukaryotes, Mediator comprises 25-30 protein subunits that reside in four distinct modules, termed head, middle, tail, and CDK8/kinase. Different subunits of Mediator contact other transcriptional regulators including activators, co-activators, general transcription factors, subunits of RNA Pol II, and specifically modified histones, leading to the regulated expression of target genes. This review is focused on the interactions of specific Mediator subunits with diverse transcription regulators and how those interactions contribute to Mediator function in transcriptional activation.
Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201-0509, USA. sansari@wadsworth.org
Suraiya A
SA
Ansari
Randall H
RH
Morse
D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D056892:Mediator Complex / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011487:Protein Conformation; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation / Q000502:physiology*
D002843:Chromatin; D056892:Mediator Complex; D021122:Protein Subunits; D014157:Transcription Factors; D012319:RNA Polymerase II