Single nucleotide in the MTF-1 binding site can determine metal-specific transcription activation.

ABSTRACT: Cells respond to changes in environment by shifting their gene expression profile to deal with the new conditions. The cellular response to changes in metal homeostasis is an important example of this. Transition metals such as iron, zinc, and copper are essential micronutrients but other metals such as cadmium are simply toxic. The cell must maintain metal concentrations in a window that supports efficient metabolic function but must also protect against the damaging effects of high concentrations of these metals. One way a cell regulates metal homeostasis is to control genes involved in metal mobilization and storage. Much of this regulation occurs at the level of transcription and the protein most responsible for this is the conserved metal responsive transcription factor 1 (MTF-1). Int

SUBMITTER: Sims HI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3478646 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature