Table of Contents

Volume 1, Issue 1

  July/August 2010

  Pages 1 - 56

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Open Access Article

Introducing Transcription

Alberto R. Kornblihtt
Page 1
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/trns.1.1.12428
Abstract | PDF

It is my great pleasure to introduce the inaugural issue of Transcription, the new journal launched by Landes Bioscience aimed at covering all aspects of transcriptional research ranging from biochemical and molecular approaches to cellular, structural and evolutionary views. The journal will publish high-quality articles providing novel insights, provocative questions and new hypothesis into the expanding field of gene transcription. In addition to papers that use conventional strategies to study both prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription, the journal will welcome manuscripts presenting high throughput analyses emerging from the availability of entire genome sequences, single molecule and biophysical studies, protein structure, imaging and systems biology.




EDITOR'S PREVIEW

Open Access Article

In this issue of Transcription

Barbara P. Rattner
Pages 2 - 3
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/trns.1.1.12429
PDF




REVIEW

Open Access Article

CDK8: A positive regulator of transcription

Matthew D. Galbraith, Aaron J. Donner and Joaquín M. Espinosa
Pages 4 - 12
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/trns.1.1.12373
Abstract | PDF

CDK8 belongs to a group of cyclin-dependent kinases involved in transcriptional regulation from yeast to mammals. CDK8 associates with the Mediator complex, but functions outside of Mediator are also likely. Historically, CDK8 has been described mostly as a transcriptional repressor, but a growing body of research provides unequivocal evidence for various roles of CDK8 in gene activation. Several transcriptional programs of biomedical importance employ CDK8 as a co-activator, including the p53 network, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, the serum response network, and those governed by SMADs and the thyroid hormone receptor, thus highlighting the importance of further investigation into this enigmatic transcriptional regulator.




POINTS-OF-VIEW

Open Access Article

The impact of transcriptional cycling on gene regulation

Carsten Carlberg
Pages 13 - 16
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/trns.1.1.11984
Abstract | PDF

Research of the past decade showed that transcriptional regulation could be a highly dynamic and cyclical process. Many transcription factors and their co-regulators cyclically associate with a periodicity of 30-75 min with regulatory chromatin regions resulting in dynamically changing chromatin marks and cyclical activities of RNA polymerase II in mRNA synthesis.

Open Access Article

SIRT6: A master epigenetic gatekeeper of glucose metabolism

Lei Zhong and Raul Mostoslavsky
Pages 17 - 21
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/trns.1.1.12143
Abstract | PDF

Sirtuins are the mammalian homologs of the yeast histone deacetylase Sir2. In recent years, an ever-expanding picture has emerged indicating that these proteins (SIRT1-7) play broad functions in cellular stress resistance, genomic stability, energy metabolism, aging and tumorigenesis. Among members of this family, SIRT6 appears to have particular significance in regulating metabolism, DNA repair and lifespan. In this context, new research from our lab has established SIRT6 as a key regulator of glucose homeostasis. In this Point of View article, we will first highlight our recent findings, and then provide an in-depth discussion of their implications in cancer and aging.

Open Access Article

The Rad23 ubiquitin receptor, the proteasome and functional specificity in transcriptional control

Staton L. Wade and David T. Auble
Pages 22 - 26
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/trns.1.1.12201
Abstract | PDF

The proteasome has been implicated in transcriptional control in a bewildering number of ways, and many questions remain about how functional selectivity is conferred to its action. Here we discuss transcriptional roles for the ubiquitin receptor Rad23 and posit that such receptors may be key players dictating proteasome transcriptional specificity.

Open Access Article

Transcriptional regulation of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase: New insights

Amel Chebel and Martine Ffrench
Pages 27 - 31
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/trns.1.1.12062
Abstract | PDF

hTERT and NFAT were thought until recently to belong to separate metabolic compartments. The involvement of NFAT in the induction of hTERT transcription suggested by hTERT expression variations during lymphocyte stimulation and immunosuppressive treatments explains the link between hTERT expression and cell stimulation and offers new insights for therapeutic developments.

Open Access Article

Transcriptional regulation underlying recovery from a DNA damage-induced arrest

Mónica Alvarez-Fernández, René H. Medema and Arne Lindqvist
Pages 32 - 35
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/trns.1.1.12063
Abstract | PDF

When the DNA of a cell is damaged, cell cycle progression is arrested and cell cycle-specific transcription is inhibited. However, cell cycle-specific transcription is required for eventual recovery from the DNA damage-induced arrest. Here we discuss recent findings that demonstrate how transcription is fine-tuned during the DNA damage response and how this controls the capacity to recover from a DNA damage arrest in G2 phase.

Open Access Article

Coordination of glucose and glutamine utilization by an expanded Myc network

Mohan R. Kaadige, Marc G. Elgort and Donald E. Ayer
Pages 36 - 40
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/trns.1.1.12142
Abstract | PDF

Glucose and glutamine are the most abundant circulating nutrients and support the growth and proliferation of all cells, in particular rapidly growing and dividing cancer cells. Several recent studies implicate an expanded Myc network in how cells sense and utilize both glucose and glutamine. These studies reveal an unappreciated coordination between glycolysis and glutaminolysis, potentially providing new targets for therapeutic intervention in cancer.

Open Access Article

Transcription factors controlling stomatal movements and drought tolerance

Eleonora Cominelli, Massimo Galbiati and Chiara Tonelli
Pages 41 - 45
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/trns.1.1.12064
Abstract | PDF

In the last years some efforts in the characterization of transcription factors involved in stomatal movements in plants have been undertaken. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms that plants adopt to cope with abiotic stress and offer new strategies to improve plant drought tolerance.




RESEARCH PAPER

Open Access Article

Characterization of Xpr (Xpct) reveals instability but no effects on X-chromosome pairing or Xist expression

Sha Sun, Yoshiro Fukue, Leisha Nolen, Ruslan Sadreyev and Jeannie T. Lee
Pages 46 - 56
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/trns.1.1.12401
Abstract | PDF

X-chromosome inactivation balances X-chromosome dosages in male and female mammals by transcriptionally repressing one X in the female sex. Proper counting and the mutually exclusive choice of active X and inactive X have been hypothesized to involve X-chromosome crosstalk via homologous chromosome pairing. Transient pairing of two female Xs requires noncoding Tsix and Xite. A recent study suggested a new pairing element (Xpr), located ~200 kb upstream of Xist, in the Xpct region. Xpr is proposed to induce pairing and activate Xist expression. Here, we further characterize Xpr and find that the Xpr sequence is unstable when introduced as transgenes into male ES cells. Xpr transgenes show an unusual tendency to disperse throughout the nucleus. However, we observe neither pairing between Xpr alleles nor ectopic Xist expression. In the absence of Tsix, Xpr does not induce inter-allelic Xic interactions. Female ES cells carrying Xpr transgenes are more stable. Nonetheless, pairing also does not seem to occur in female cells. We conclude that, while Xpr contains unusual properties, it most likely does not serve as a pairing or counting element. Differences in statistical methods and controls may explain some of the discrepancies.