Introduction to transcription factor structure and function

Abstract

Transcription of eukaryotic genes is regulated by DNA binding proteins known as transcription factors. These factors interact specifically with sequences located in the promoter regions of the genes they regulate. Transcription factors are classified in families according to the structure of their DNA binding domain. Some transcription factor families are present in most eukaryotes, while others are specific of certain lineages, suggesting that they are more recent acquisitions. In addition to the DNA binding domain, transcription factors possess other domains involved in activating or repressing gene expression, dimerization and establishing protein-protein interactions. Transcription factor action is finely modulated by mechanisms involving their synthesis, subcellular location and activity, usually through the interaction with other proteins and/or post-translational modifications. In this chapter, we summarize general properties of eukaryotic transcription factors as an introduction to the specific chapters dealing with the structure and function of plant transcription factors of this book.