title: The Mediator complex: a master coordinator of transcription and cell lineage development.
abstract: Mediator is a multiprotein complex that is required for gene transcription by RNA polymerase II. Multiple subunits of the complex show specificity in relaying information from signals and transcription factors to the RNA polymerase II machinery, thus enabling control of the expression of specific genes. Recent studies have also provided novel mechanistic insights into the roles of Mediator in epigenetic regulation, transcriptional elongation, termination, mRNA processing, noncoding RNA activation and super enhancer formation. Based on these specific roles in gene regulation, Mediator has emerged as a master coordinator of development and cell lineage determination. Here, we describe the most recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of Mediator function, with an emphasis on its role during development and disease.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
authors.forename: Jing-wen
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D056892:Mediator Complex / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D056892:Mediator Complex; D012319:RNA Polymerase II
keywords: Cell fate; Disease; Lineage development; Mediator complex; Transcription