Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Detecting the Ligand-binding Domain Dimerization Activity of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Using the Mammalian Two-Hybrid Assay
09:07

Detecting the Ligand-binding Domain Dimerization Activity of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Using the Mammalian Two-Hybrid Assay

Published on: December 19, 2018

Cooperating transcription factors mediate the function of estrogen receptor

Elisa Fiorito1, Madhumohan R Katika, Antoni Hurtado

  • 1Breast Cancer Research group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Nordic EMBL Partnership, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, 0318 Oslo, Norway.

Chromosoma
|November 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Estrogen receptor (ER) binding to DNA involves other transcription factors, influencing gene activity and response to anti-estrogen therapies in breast cancer treatment. Understanding these interactions is key for targeted therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology and Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Estrogen receptor (ER) is a key transcription factor regulating cell growth in reproductive tissues.
  • ER expression is prevalent in most breast cancers, making it a critical therapeutic target.
  • Emerging research reveals ER binding occurs at distant gene regions, not just promoters.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how transcription factors cooperate with ER for transcriptional activity.
  • To explain how ER-associated factors influence chromatin interaction.
  • To discuss the role of these factors and cytoplasmic pathways in anti-estrogen therapy response.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of genetic studies on ER binding and transcription factor cooperation.
  • Analysis of mechanisms influencing ER-chromatin interactions.
  • Discussion of signaling pathways modulating ER function.

Main Results:

  • ER binding is often distant from gene promoters and involves co-factors.
  • Co-transcription factors modulate ER's interaction with chromatin.
  • The expression of these factors is critical for predicting response to anti-estrogen therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Co-transcription factors and cytoplasmic pathways significantly impact ER function and therapeutic outcomes.
  • Targeting ER and its cooperating factors offers potential for improved breast cancer treatment.
  • Further research into these complex interactions is warranted for personalized medicine.

More Related Videos

Systems Biology of Metabolic Regulation by Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer10:36

Systems Biology of Metabolic Regulation by Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer

Published on: March 17, 2016

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells16:24

Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells

Published on: February 21, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Co-activators and Co-repressors02:04

Co-activators and Co-repressors

Gene transcription is regulated by the synergistic action of several proteins that form a complex at a gene regulatory site. This is observed in eukaryotes, where the regulation of gene expression is a complex process. Regulatory proteins in eukaryotes can broadly be classified into two types – regulators that bind directly to specific DNA sequences and co-regulators that associate with regulatory proteins but cannot directly bind to the DNA. These co-regulators are further divided into...
Co-activators and Co-repressors02:04

Co-activators and Co-repressors

Gene transcription is regulated by the synergistic action of several proteins that form a complex at a gene regulatory site. This is observed in eukaryotes, where the regulation of gene expression is a complex process. Regulatory proteins in eukaryotes can broadly be classified into two types – regulators that bind directly to specific DNA sequences and co-regulators that associate with regulatory proteins but cannot directly bind to the DNA. These co-regulators are further divided into...
Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors01:31

Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors

Nuclear receptors, or NRs, are unique transcription factors that regulate gene transcription and affect the cellular pathways involved in reproduction, development, or metabolism. Their ability to be stimulated by small lipophilic ligands and control vital cellular processes makes them ideal drug targets. Nearly 10-15% of currently prescribed drugs target these receptors.
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins02:36

RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins

Proteins that regulate transcription can do so either via direct contact with RNA Polymerase or through indirect interactions facilitated by adaptors, mediators, histone-modifying proteins, and nucleosome remodelers. Direct interactions to activate transcription is seen in bacteria as well as in some eukaryotic genes. In these cases, upstream activation sequences are adjacent to the promoters, and the activator proteins interact directly with the transcriptional machinery. For example, in...
Transcription Factors02:16

Transcription Factors

Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
Transcription Factors02:16

Transcription Factors

Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...