The design of transcription-factor binding sites is affected by combinatorial regulation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Transcription factors regulate gene expression by binding to specific cis-regulatory elements in gene promoters. Although DNA sequences that serve as transcription-factor binding sites have been characterized and associated with the regulation of numerous genes, the principles that govern the design and evolution of such sites are poorly understood.

Results

Using the comprehensive mapping of binding-site locations available in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we examined possible factors that may have an impact on binding-site design. We found that binding sites tend to be shorter and fuzzier when they appear in promoter regions that bind multiple transcription factors. We further found that essential genes bind relatively fewer transcription factors, as do divergent pro

SUBMITTER: Bilu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1414079 | biostudies-literature | 2005

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature