The multitalented Mediator complex.
The Mediator complex is needed for regulated transcription of RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent genes. Initially, Mediator was only seen as a protein bridge that conveyed regulatory information from enhancers to the promoter. Later studies have added many other functions to the Mediator repertoire. Indeed, recent findings show that Mediator influences nearly all stages of transcription and coordinates these events with concomitant changes in chromatin organization. We review the multitude of activities associated with Mediator and discuss how this complex coordinates transcription with other cellular events. We also discuss the inherent difficulties associated with in vivo characterization of a coactivator complex that can indirectly affect diverse cellular processes via changes in gene transcription.
University of Gothenburg, Institute of Biomedicine, PO Box 440, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden.
Jonas O P
JO
Carlsten
Xuefeng
X
Zhu
Claes M
CM
Gustafsson
D000818:Animals; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D056892:Mediator Complex / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D056892:Mediator Complex
CDK8; Mediator; RNA polymerase II; chromatin looping; cohesin; non-coding RNA