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Mechanisms of Mediator complex action in transcriptional activation

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Abstract

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.

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Abbreviations

ER:

Estrogen receptor

GTF:

General transcription factor

HNF4:

Hepatic nuclear factor 4

JA:

Jasmonic acid

NR:

Nuclear receptor

PIC:

Pre-initiation complex

Pol II:

RNA polymerase II

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Supported by NSF grant MCB0949722.

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  1. Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, 12201–0509, USA

    Suraiya A. Ansari & Randall H. Morse

  2. Department of Biomedical Science, University at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY, USA

    Randall H. Morse

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Ansari, S.A., Morse, R.H. Mechanisms of Mediator complex action in transcriptional activation. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 70, 2743–2756 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-013-1265-9

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