The Mediator complex, which in humans is 1.4 MDa in size and includes 26 subunits,
controls many aspects of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) function. Apart from its size, a defining …

Pioneer transcription factors have the intrinsic biochemical ability to scan partial DNA
sequence motifs that are exposed on the surface of a nucleosome and thus access silent …

Abstract RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcribes all protein-coding genes and many
noncoding RNAs in eukaryotic genomes. Although Pol II is a complex, 12-subunit enzyme, it …

The primary regulators of metazoan gene expression are enhancers, originally functionally
defined as DNA sequences that can activate transcription at promoters in an orientation …

Transcription in several organisms from certain bacteria to humans has been observed to be
stochastic in nature: toggling between active and inactive states. Periods of active nascent …

Mechanotransduction is the ability of a cell to sense mechanical cues from its
microenvironment and convert them into biochemical signals to elicit adaptive transcriptional …

The idea that gene activity can be discontinuous will not surprise many biologists–many
genes are restricted in when and where they can be expressed. Yet during the past 15 …

Cells must tightly regulate their gene expression programs and yet rapidly respond to acute
biochemical and biophysical cues within their environment. This information is transmitted to …

Transcription factors (TFs) regulate gene expression by binding to specific consensus motifs
within the local chromatin context. The mechanisms by which TFs navigate the nuclear …

The regulation of RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription requires a complex and context-
specific array of proteins and protein complexes, as well as nucleic acids and metabolites …