Abstract
Enhancers, the elements that regulate spatial and temporal gene expression in eukaryotic cells, act as templates for the assembly of multiprotein complexes. Studies on the enhancers associated with immediate-early genes of herpes simplex virus reveal an unanticipated recurrence of specific protein-protein interactions, comparable to a three-dimensional 'jigsaw' puzzle. The arrangement of cis regulatory motifs - the DNA sequence of an enhancer-forms the puzzle template. Specific regulatory proteins, by forming contours of appropriate fit for both DNA template and neighboring proteins, constitute the puzzle pieces.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 232-236 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Trends in Genetics |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1992 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Genetics