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9.16: Types of regulatory interactions

  • Page ID
    4843
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    A comprehensive analysis of the interactions between 106 transcription factors and regulatory sequences in the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed the presence of a number of common regulatory motifs302. These include:

    •Autoregulatory loops: A transcription factor binds to sequences that regulate its own transcription. Such interactions can be positive (amplifying) or negative (squelching).

    •Feed forward interactions: A transcription factor regulates the expression of a second transcription factor; the two transcription factors then cooperate to regulate the expression of a third gene.

    •Regulatory chains: A transcription factor binds to the regulatory sequences in another gene and induces expression of a second transcription factor, which in turn binds to regulatory sequences in a third gene, etc. The chain ends with the production of some non-transcription factor products.

    •Single and multiple input modules: A transcription factor binds to sequences in a number of genes, regulating their coordinated expression (σ factors works this way). In most cases, sets of target genes are regulated by sets of transcription factors that bind in concert.

    In each case the activity of a protein involved in an interaction network can, like the lac repressor, be regulated through interactions with other proteins, allosteric factors, and post-translational modifications. It is through such interactions that signals from inside and outside the cell can control patterns of gene expression leading to maintenance of the homeostatic state or various adaptations.

    Contributors and Attributions

    • Michael W. Klymkowsky (University of Colorado Boulder) and Melanie M. Cooper (Michigan State University) with significant contributions by Emina Begovic & some editorial assistance of Rebecca Klymkowsky.


    This page titled 9.16: Types of regulatory interactions is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Michael W. Klymkowsky and Melanie M. Cooper.

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