Cited by 1,589Genomics and Chromatin DynamicsChromatin Remodeling and CancerEpigenetics and DNA Methylation

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 197 of the 197 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 202 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Pioneer transcription factors: establishing competence for gene expression

Open access
Zaret, Kenneth S., Carroll, Jason S.·2011·Genes & Development

Abstract

Transcription factors are adaptor molecules that detect regulatory sequences in the DNA and target the assembly of protein complexes that control gene expression. Yet much of the DNA in the eukaryotic cell is in nucleosomes and thereby occluded by histones, and can be further occluded by higher-order chromatin structures and repressor complexes. Indeed, genome-wide location analyses have revealed that, for all transcription factors tested, the vast majority of potential DNA-binding sites are unoccupied, demonstrating the inaccessibility of most of the nuclear DNA. This raises the question of how target sites at silent genes become bound de novo by transcription factors, thereby initiating regulatory events in chromatin. Binding cooperativity can be sufficient for many kinds of factors to simultaneously engage a target site in chromatin and activate gene expression. However, in cases in which the binding of a series of factors is sequential in time and thus not initially cooperative, special “pioneer transcription factors” can be the first to engage target sites in chromatin. Such initial binding can passively enhance transcription by reducing the number of additional factors that are needed to bind the DNA, culminating in activation. In addition, pioneer factor binding can actively open up the local chromatin and directly make it competent for other factors to bind. Passive and active roles for the pioneer factor FoxA occur in embryonic development, steroid hormone induction, and human cancers. Herein we review the field and describe how pioneer factors may enable cellular reprogramming.

Overview

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Crossref · 10.1101/gad.176826.111

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    The dimethyl sulfate protection technique used for in vivo footprinting did not miss other factors that bound the Alb1 enhancer before FoxA and GATA.

    “While the specific dimethyl sulfate protection technique used for in vivo footprinting could have failed to detect other factors, FoxA and GATA site occupancy clearly preceded occupancy of the other enhancer-binding factors in nascent liver and occurred in progenitor cells prior to gene activation.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    FoxA1 and FoxA2 interact with the androgen receptor in prostate cancer cells.

    “It has been well established that both FoxA1 and FoxA2 interact with the AR, the driving transcription factor in prostate cancer cells.”
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Metadata

Authors
Zaret, K. S., & Carroll, J. S.
Affiliations
  • University of Pennsylvania (US)
  • University of Cambridge (GB)
Venue
Genes & Development
Published
2011-11-01
Volume
25
Issue
21
Pages
2227-2241
ISSN
  • 0890-9369 (ISSN-L)
  • 1549-5477
OpenAlex
W2122097157
Cited by
1,589
References
196
Citations by year
2026: 75 · 2025: 68 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 94 · 2022: 114 · 2021: 130 · 2020: 131 · 2019: 121 · 2018: 126 · 2017: 119 · 2016: 141 · 2015: 112 · 2014: 128 · 2013: 107 · 2012: 60
Type
posted content
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Genes & Development (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Cancer Research UK (15602)
  • National Institutes of Health (R37GM36477)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R37GM36477, R37GM036477)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK082623)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Chromatin Remodeling and Cancer
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
Keywords
pioneer transcription factors, chromatin accessibility, histone-DNA interactions, chromatin remodeling, FoxA, cooperative binding, gene expression regulation, cellular reprogramming, embryonic development, cancer
MeSH terms
Histones, Humans, Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating, Protein Binding, Substrate Specificity, Transcription Factors, Gene Expression, Protein Structure, Tertiary

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