The Soft Touch: Low-Affinity Transcription Factor Binding Sites in Development and Evolution

Justin Crocker, Ella Preger-Ben Noon, David L. Stern

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Transcription factor proteins regulate gene expression by binding to specific DNA regions. Most studies of transcription factor binding sites have focused on the highest affinity sites for each factor. There is abundant evidence, however, that binding sites with a range of affinities, including very low affinities, are critical to gene regulation. Here, we present the theoretical and experimental evidence for the importance of low-affinity sites in gene regulation and development. We also discuss the implications of the widespread use of low-affinity sites in eukaryotic genomes for robustness, precision, specificity, and evolution of gene regulation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCurrent Topics in Developmental Biology
Pages455-469
Number of pages15
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2016
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameCurrent Topics in Developmental Biology
Volume117

Keywords

  • Enhancer
  • Low-affinity binding sites
  • Protein–DNA interaction
  • Transcription factor
  • Transcription regulation
  • cis-Regulatory element

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

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