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Published on: April 29, 2011
Myb protein specificity: evidence of a context-specific transcription factor code
1Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, MSC08 4660, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA. ness@unm.edu
Blood Cells, Molecules & Diseases
|September 16, 2003
Summary
Vertebrates have three Myb transcription factors (A-Myb, B-Myb, c-Myb) with distinct biological roles. Posttranslational modifications dictate which genes these Myb proteins activate in specific cell types.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Vertebrates express three Myb transcription factors: A-Myb, B-Myb, and c-Myb.
- These factors share a DNA binding domain and activate similar reporter genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distinct biological roles and gene activation patterns of A-Myb, B-Myb, and c-Myb.
- To explore the context-specific regulatory mechanisms governing Myb transcription factors.
Main Methods:
- Microarray assays to analyze gene expression changes upon ectopic Myb protein expression.
- Analysis of Myb protein interactions and posttranslational modifications.
Main Results:
- Ectopic expression of each Myb protein activates distinct sets of human genes.
- Gene activation by each Myb protein varies significantly across different cell types.
- Evidence supports a model where posttranslational modifications regulate Myb function.
Conclusions:
- Myb transcription factors exhibit cell-type-specific gene activation profiles.
- Posttranslational modifications act as a 'modification code' to control Myb protein interactions and target gene activation.
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