The role of architectural transcription factors in cytokine gene transcription

The strict control of cytokine gene transcription is required for the correct regulation of an immune response. Cytokine gene transcription is generally inducible and can also be cell-type specific. Promoter and enhancer regions that control the expression of these genes assemble complex arrays of transcription factors known as enhanceosomes. One important aspect of the organization of these multi-protein complexes is the presence of proteins known as architectural transcription factors. Architectural proteins influence structural aspects of enhanceosomes through protein:DNA as well as protein:protein interactions. The high mobility group I(Y) and the cold shock domain families of architectural proteins have been shown to play roles in cytokine gene transcription and will be discussed here. These families of proteins interact with specific structural features of DNA, modulate transcription factor binding to DNA, and interact directly with other transcription factors. The mechanisms by which they affect inducible cytokine gene transcription will be discussed.