title: Modulation of DNA binding by gene-specific transcription factors.
abstract: The transcription of many genes, particularly in prokaryotes, is controlled by transcription factors whose activity can be modulated by controlling their DNA binding affinity. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which DNA binding affinity is regulated is important, but because forming definitive conclusions usually requires detailed structural information in combination with data from extensive biophysical, biochemical, and sometimes genetic experiments, little is truly understood about this topic. This review describes the biological requirements placed upon DNA binding transcription factors and their consequent properties, particularly the ways that DNA binding affinity can be modulated and methods for its study. What is known and not known about the mechanisms modulating the DNA binding affinity of a number of prokaryotic transcription factors, including CAP and lac repressor, is provided.
authors: Biology Department, Johns Hopkins University , 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States.
authors: Robert F
authors: RF
authors: Schleif
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005796:Genes; D007700:Kinetics; D008958:Models, Molecular; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA