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Published on: September 20, 2018
Epigenetic regulation by nuclear receptors
Christopher D Green1, Jing-Dong J Han
1Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Center for Molecular Systems Biology, Institute of Genetics & Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China.
Epigenomics
|December 1, 2011
Summary
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are transcription factors regulating genes. Recent studies reveal how NRs and cofactors use epigenetic modifications, like histone acetylation and methylation, to control gene expression genome-wide.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
- Genomics
Background:
- Nuclear receptors (NRs) are ligand-activated transcription factors crucial for biological processes.
- NRs regulate gene expression via coactivator/corepressor complexes that modify chromatin.
- Epigenetic modifications, including histone acetylation and methylation, are key to NR signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding epigenetic regulation by NRs.
- To explore the role of cofactors in mediating NR signaling through histone modifications.
- To integrate findings from genome-wide analyses with established knowledge of cofactor complexes.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on NR and cofactor interactions.
- Analysis of genome-wide studies on NR and cofactor localization.
- Focus on epigenetic modifications (histone acetylation, methylation) in NR-mediated transcription.
Main Results:
- Specific biological roles for cofactors in NR signaling via epigenetic modifications have been identified.
- Genome-wide analyses confirm single-gene study findings and reveal new NR-cofactor-target gene relationships.
- NRs, cofactors, and histone modifications collectively determine gene expression patterns.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic regulation by NRs is a complex, genome-wide phenomenon.
- Cofactor complexes play critical roles in mediating NR functions through histone modifications.
- Understanding these interactions is vital for deciphering gene expression control.
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