Transcription factor

Transcription factor

A Transcription factor (TF) or DNA-binding factor 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 right cell at the right time and in the right amount throughout the life of the cell and the organism.

Types of transcription factors

There are approximately 1600 transcription factors in a human cell. They can be classified in many different ways. They can be classified according to their structure, by the DNA sequence they bind to, or by their function or mechanism.

Structure of transcription factors

Transcription factors can contain one or more DNA-binding domains (DBDs), which attach to specific sequences of DNA adjacent to the genes that they regulate. Other proteins such as coactivators, chromatin remodelers, histone acetyltransferases, histone deacetylases, kinases, and methylases are also essential to gene regulation, but are not classified as transcription factors.

Function of transcription factors

Transcription factors work alone or with other proteins in a complex, by promoting (as an activator), or blocking (as a repressor) the recruitment of RNA polymerase (the enzyme that performs the transcription of genetic information from DNA to RNA) to specific genes.

Mechanism of action

A defining feature of transcription factors is that they contain at least one DNA-binding domain (DBD), which attaches to a specific sequence of DNA adjacent to the genes that they regulate.

See also

• Gene expression
• Gene regulation
• Transcription (genetics)
• Transcriptional regulation

External links

• Transcription Factor at NCBI

Transcription factor Resources
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