Transcription Factors

Transcription factors directly control when, where, and the extent to which genes are expressed. Signal transduction pathways are responsible for either activating or inhibiting many of them. Transcription factors are also regulated by cofactors, forming complexes that can activate or inhibit transcriptional activity. Many transcription factors, such as nuclear receptors, reside in the cytoplasm and enter the nucleus upon activation (e.g., ligand binding). Posttranslational modifications and coregulating proteins provide additional layers of regulation. Transcription factors are involved in a wide variety of processes, such as development, stress responses, and immunity. Activation or inhibition of transcription factors is often dysregulated during oncogenesis. Transcription factors can also be dysregulated during developmental processes, promoting or inhibiting cellular differentiation. Analyzing the expression, regulation, activity, and sequence of transcription factor genes can help determine their relative importance to the biology of the cellular or disease processes under study.

QIAGEN provides a broad range of assay technologies for transcription factor research that enables analysis of gene expression and regulation, epigenetic modification, genotyping, and signal transduction pathway activation. Solutions optimized for transcription factor studies include PCR array, miRNA, siRNA, mutation analysis, pathway reporter, chromatin IP, DNA methylation, and protein expression products.