Recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating C. elegans transcription

We review recent studies that have advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating transcription in the nematode C. elegans. Topics covered include: (i) general properties of C. elegans promoters; (ii) transcription factors and transcription factor combinations involved in cell fate specification and cell differentiation; (iii) new roles for general transcription factors; (iv) nucleosome positioning in C. elegans "chromatin"; and (v) some characteristics of histone variants and histone modifications and their possible roles in controlling C. elegans transcription.