Inducible Gene Expression, Volume 1: Environmental Stresses and Nutrients: 0002 (Progress in Gene Expression) - Hardcover

Cells have evolved multiple strategies to adapt the composition and quality of their protein equipment to needs imposed by changes in intra- and extracellular conditions. The appearance of pro teins transmit­ ting novel functional properties to cells can be controlled at a transcrip­ tional, posttranscriptional, translational or posttranslational level. Extensive research over the past 15 years has shown that transcriptional regulation is used as the predominant strategy to control the production of new proteins in response to extracellular stimuli. At the level of gene transcription, the initiation ofmRNA synthesis is used most frequently to govern gene expression. The key elements controlling transcription initiation in eukaryotes are activator proteins (transactivators) that bind in a sequence-specific manner to short DNA sequences in the of genes. The activator binding sites are elements of larger proximity control units, ca lied promoters and enhancers, which bind many distinct proteins. These may synergize or negatively cooperate with the activators. The do novo binding of an activator to DNA or, if already bound to DNA, its functional activation is what ultimately turns on a high-level expression of genes. The activity of transactivators is controlled by signalling pathways and, in some cases, transactivators actively partici­ pate in signal transduction by moving from the cytoplasm into the nuc1eus. In this first volume of Inducible Gene Expression, leading scientists in the field review six eukaryotic transactivators that allow cells to respond to various extracellular stimuli by the expression of new proteins.

This is the second of two volumes which aim to cover all established eukaryotic transcription factor systems that are direct targets for the signal transduction pathways. Leading molecular biologists contribute reviews on topics which take a broad view, and which should be of interest to students and advanced researchers in biology and medicine. Chapters attempt to answer such fundamental questions as: what is the signal and how and when is it produced? What is the receptor, and what further signalling molecules are involved? What is the biochemistry and molecular biology of the transcription factor that is the ultimate target of the signalling pathway? What is the physiological role of factor? In this volume, topics covered include: control of transcription in prokaryotes by small molecule ligands; PP/fatty acid receptors; retinoic acid receptors; steroid hormone receptors; TCDD receptors; thyroid hormone receptors; heat shock response; heavy metal response; and the iron regulatory protein.