Distinct roles for Mediator Cdk8 module subunits in Drosophila development.

ABSTRACT: Mediator (MED) is a conserved multisubunit complex bridging transcriptional activators and repressors to the general RNA polymerase II initiation machinery. In yeast, MED is organized in three core modules and a separable 'Cdk8 module' consisting of the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdk8, its partner CycC, Med12 and Med13. This regulatory module, specifically required for cellular adaptation to environmental cues, is thought to act through the Cdk8 kinase activity. Here we have investigated the functions of the four Cdk8 module subunits in the metazoan model Drosophila. Physical interactions detected among the four fly subunits provide support for a structurally conserved Cdk8 module. We analyzed the in vivo functions of this module using null mutants for Cdk8, CycC, Med12 and Med13. Each gene i

SUBMITTER: Loncle N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1852830 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature