In molecular biology, a transcription factor (TF) is a protein that controls the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA, by binding to a specific DNA sequence. The function of TFs is to regulate—turn on and off—genes in order to make sure that they are expressed in the desired cells at the right time and in the right amount throughout the life of the cell and the organism. Groups of TFs function in a coordinated fashion to direct cell division, cell growth, and cell death throughout life; cell migration and organization during embryonic development; and intermittently in response to signals from outside the cell, such as a hormone. There are up to 1600 TFs in the human genome. Transcription factors are members of the proteome as well as regulome.
A zinc finger is a small protein structural motif that is characterized by the coordination of one or more zinc ions (Zn2+) in order to stabilize the fold. It was originally coined to describe the finger-like appearance of a hypothesized structure from the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) transcription factor IIIA. However, it has been found to encompass a wide variety of differing protein structures in eukaryotic cells. Xenopus laevis TFIIIA was originally demonstrated to contain zinc and require the metal for function in 1983, the first such reported zinc requirement for a gene regulatory protein followed soon thereafter by the Krüppel factor in Drosophila. It often appears as a metal-binding domain in multi-domain proteins.
DNA-binding proteins are proteins that have DNA-binding domains and thus have a specific or general affinity for single- or double-stranded DNA. Sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins generally interact with the major groove of B-DNA, because it exposes more functional groups that identify a base pair. However, there are some known minor groove DNA-binding ligands such as netropsin, distamycin, Hoechst 33258, pentamidine, DAPI and others.
EGR-1 also known as ZNF268 or NGFI-A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EGR1 gene.
In molecular biology, a CCAAT box is a distinct pattern of nucleotides with GGCCAATCT consensus sequence that occur upstream by 60–100 bases to the initial transcription site. The CAAT box signals the binding site for the RNA transcription factor, and is typically accompanied by a conserved consensus sequence. It is an invariant DNA sequence at about minus 70 base pairs from the origin of transcription in many eukaryotic promoters. Genes that have this element seem to require it for the gene to be transcribed in sufficient quantities. It is frequently absent from genes that encode proteins used in virtually all cells. This box along with the GC box is known for binding general transcription factors. Both of these consensus sequences belong to the regulatory promoter. Full gene expression occurs when transcription activator proteins bind to each module within the regulatory promoter. Protein specific binding is required for the CCAAT box activation. These proteins are known as CCAAT box binding proteins/CCAAT box binding factors.
A DNA-binding domain (DBD) is an independently folded protein domain that contains at least one structural motif that recognizes double- or single-stranded DNA. A DBD can recognize a specific DNA sequence or have a general affinity to DNA. Some DNA-binding domains may also include nucleic acids in their folded structure.
In molecular genetics, the Krüppel-like family of transcription factors (KLFs) are a set of eukaryotic C2H2 zinc finger DNA-binding proteins that regulate gene expression. This family has been expanded to also include the Sp transcription factor and related proteins, forming the Sp/KLF family.
Transcriptional repressor CTCF also known as 11-zinc finger protein or CCCTC-binding factor is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the CTCF gene. CTCF is involved in many cellular processes, including transcriptional regulation, insulator activity, V(D)J recombination and regulation of chromatin architecture.
The W box is a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) cis-regulatory element sequence, (T)TGAC(C/T), which is recognized by the family of WRKY transcription factors.
C-terminal-binding protein 1 also known as CtBP1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CTBP1 gene. CtBP1 is one of two CtBP proteins, the other protein being CtBP2.
MHC class II regulatory factor RFX1 is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the RFX1 gene located on the short arm of chromosome 19.
C-terminal-binding protein 2 also known as CtBP2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CTBP2 gene.
Zinc finger protein 40 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HIVEP1 gene.
Transcription factor Sp2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SP2 gene.
Transcription factor RFX3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the RFX3 gene.
The B3 DNA binding domain (DBD) is a highly conserved domain found exclusively in transcription factors combined with other domains. It consists of 100-120 residues, includes seven beta strands and two alpha helices that form a DNA-binding pseudobarrel protein fold ; it interacts with the major groove of DNA.
The WRKY domain is found in the WRKY transcription factor family, a class of transcription factors. The WRKY domain is found almost exclusively in plants although WRKY genes appear present in some diplomonads, social amoebae and other amoebozoa, and fungi incertae sedis. They appear absent in other non-plant species. WRKY transcription factors have been a significant area of plant research for the past 20 years. The WRKY DNA-binding domain recognizes the W-box (T)TGAC(C/T) cis-regulatory element.
WRKY transcription factors are proteins that bind DNA. They are transcription factors that regulate many processes in plants and algae (Viridiplantae), such as the responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, senescence, seed dormancy and seed germination and some developmental processes but also contribute to secondary metabolism.
Zinc finger protein 226 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ZNF226 gene.
Zinc Finger Protein 548 (ZNF548) is a human protein encoded by the ZNF548 gene which is located on chromosome 19. It is found in the nucleus and is hypothesized to play a role in the regulation of transcription by RNA Polymerase II. It belongs to the Krüppel C2H2-type zinc-finger protein family as it contains many zinc-finger repeats.
