Dynamic transcription regulation at the single-molecule level. 2022

Zuhui Wang, and Wulan Deng
Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.

Cell fate changes during development, differentiation, and reprogramming are largely controlled at the transcription level. The DNA-binding transcription factors (TFs) often act in a combinatorial fashion to alter chromatin states and drive cell type-specific gene expression. Recent advances in fluorescent microscopy technologies have enabled direct visualization of biomolecules involved in the process of transcription and its regulatory events at the single-molecule level in living cells. Remarkably, imaging and tracking individual TF molecules at high temporal and spatial resolution revealed that they are highly dynamic in searching and binding cognate targets, rather than static and binding constantly. In combination with investigation using techniques from biochemistry, structure biology, genetics, and genomics, a more well-rounded view of transcription regulation is emerging. In this review, we briefly cover the technical aspects of live-cell single-molecule imaging and focus on the biological relevance and interpretation of the single-molecule dynamic features of transcription regulatory events observed in the native chromatin environment of living eukaryotic cells. We also discuss how these dynamic features might shed light on mechanistic understanding of transcription regulation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002843 Chromatin The material of CHROMOSOMES. It is a complex of DNA; HISTONES; and nonhistone proteins (CHROMOSOMAL PROTEINS, NON-HISTONE) found within the nucleus of a cell. Chromatins
D004247 DNA A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine). DNA, Double-Stranded,Deoxyribonucleic Acid,ds-DNA,DNA, Double Stranded,Double-Stranded DNA,ds DNA
D005786 Gene Expression Regulation Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation. Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D000072760 Single Molecule Imaging High resolution imaging techniques that allow visualization of individual molecules of proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids within cells or tissues. Single Molecule Analysis,Single Molecule Tracking,Single Particle Analysis,Single Particle Imaging,Single Particle Microscopy,Single Particle Spectroscopy,Single Particle Tracking,Single Molecule Microscopy,Single Molecule Spectroscopy,Analyses, Single Particle,Analysis, Single Molecule,Analysis, Single Particle,Imaging, Single Molecule,Imaging, Single Particle,Microscopies, Single Particle,Microscopy, Single Molecule,Microscopy, Single Particle,Particle Tracking, Single,Single Molecule Analyses,Single Particle Analyses,Single Particle Microscopies,Single Particle Spectroscopies,Single Particle Trackings,Spectroscopy, Single Molecule,Spectroscopy, Single Particle,Tracking, Single Molecule,Tracking, Single Particle
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014157 Transcription Factors Endogenous substances, usually proteins, which are effective in the initiation, stimulation, or termination of the genetic transcription process. Transcription Factor,Factor, Transcription,Factors, Transcription
D014158 Transcription, Genetic The biosynthesis of RNA carried out on a template of DNA. The biosynthesis of DNA from an RNA template is called REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION. Genetic Transcription
D059010 Single-Cell Analysis Assaying the products of or monitoring various biochemical processes and reactions in an individual cell. Analyses, Single-Cell,Analysis, Single-Cell,Single Cell Analysis,Single-Cell Analyses

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