An evolving understanding of nuclear receptor coregulator proteins

• Published in: Journal of molecular endocrinology Vol. 51; no. 3; pp. T23 - T36
• Main Authors: Millard, Christopher J, Watson, Peter J, Fairall, Louise, Schwabe, John W R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Society for Endocrinology 01-12-2013
• Subjects: Animals; Chromatin - metabolism; Humans; Models, Biological; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear - metabolism; Repressor Proteins - metabolism; Thematic Review; Transcription Factors - metabolism; nuclear receptors; corepressors; coregulator complexes; chromatin; coactivators; transcriptional regulation
• ISSN: 0952-5041; 1479-6813
• DOI: 10.1530/JME-13-0227

Nuclear receptors are transcription factors that regulate gene expression through the ligand-controlled recruitment of a diverse group of proteins known as coregulators. Most nuclear receptor coregulators function in large multi-protein complexes that modify chromatin and thereby regulate the transcription of target genes. Structural and functional studies are beginning to reveal how these complexes are assembled bringing together multiple functionalities that mediate: recruitment to specific genomic loci through interaction with transcription factors; recruitment of enzymatic activities that either modify or remodel chromatin and targeting the complexes to their chromatin substrate. These activities are regulated by post-translational modifications, alternative splicing and small signalling molecules. This review focuses on our current understanding of coregulator complexes and aims to highlight the common principles that are beginning to emerge.