Coactivator
Coactivator
Coactivator (pronounced as co-ac-ti-va-tor) is a type of protein that works to increase the expression of genes. Coactivators do not bind to DNA directly, but they bind to other proteins such as transcription factors.
Etymology
The term "coactivator" is derived from the prefix "co-", meaning "together", and "activator", which refers to something that causes activity or action. Thus, a coactivator works together with other proteins to activate gene expression.
Function
Coactivators play a crucial role in the process of gene expression. They are recruited by transcription factors to the promoter region of a gene, where they help to assemble the transcription machinery and facilitate the process of transcription.
Coactivators can also modify chromatin structure, making the DNA more accessible to the transcription machinery. This is achieved through the enzymatic activities of coactivators, such as histone acetyltransferase activity, which acetylates histones and loosens the DNA-histone interaction.
Related Terms
- Transcription factor: A protein that controls the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA.
- Promoter (genetics): A region of DNA that initiates transcription of a particular gene.
- Histone acetyltransferase: An enzyme that acetylates histones, thereby altering the accessibility of chromatin and allowing transcription to take place.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Coactivator
- Wikipedia's article - Coactivator
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