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Protecting against promiscuity: the regulatory role of insulators
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Protecting against promiscuity: the regulatory role of insulators

P K Geyer and I Clark
Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS, Vol.59(12), pp.2112-2127
12/2002
DOI: 10.1007/s000180200011
PMID: 12568337
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/11146130View
Open Access

Abstract

Eukaryotic genomes contain transcriptional regulatory elements that alter promoter activity through long-range interactions. Many control elements show a broad range of promoter interactions, suggesting that these elements are capable of inappropriate transcription. The identification of a novel class of directing regulatory elements, called insulators, has provided clues into mechanisms used in eukaryotic genomes to maintain transcription fidelity. Insulators contribute to the organization of independent domains of gene function by restricting enhancer and silencer function. This review describes the properties of insulators and related elements that have been isolated from several eukaryotic genomes. Two classes of models of insulator function are considered. These models provide insights into possible mechanisms used by these diverse elements to provide regulatory autonomy.
Promoter Regions, Genetic Animals Enhancer Elements, Genetic Gene Expression Regulation Transcription, Genetic Models, Genetic Chromatin - genetics Insulator Elements

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