MTERF factors: a multifunction protein family

Bibliographic Details
Title: MTERF factors: a multifunction protein family
Authors: Roberti Marina, Polosa Paola Loguercio, Bruni Francesco, Deceglie Stefania, Gadaleta Maria Nicola, Cantatore Palmiro
Source: Biomolecular Concepts, Vol 1, Iss 2, Pp 215-224 (2010)
Publisher Information: De Gruyter, 2010.
Publication Year: 2010
Collection: LCC:Biology (General)
Subject Terms: mterf protein family, mtdna replication, mtdna transcription, transcription termination factor, Biology (General), QH301-705.5
More Details: The MTERF family is a large protein family, identified in metazoans and plants, which consists of four subfamilies, MTERF1, 2, 3 and 4. Mitochondrial localisation was predicted for the vast majority of MTERF family members and demonstrated for the characterised MTERF proteins. The main structural feature of MTERF proteins is the presence of a modular architecture, based on repetitions of a 30-residue module, the mTERF motif, containing leucine zipper-like heptads. The MTERF family includes transcription termination factors: human mTERF, sea urchin mtDBP and Drosophila DmTTF. In addition to terminating transcription, they are involved in transcription initiation and in the control of mtDNA replication. This multiplicity of functions seems to flank differences in the gene organisation of mitochondrial genomes. MTERF2 and MTERF3 play antithetical roles in controlling mitochondrial transcription: that is, mammalian and Drosophila MTERF3 act as negative regulators, whereas mammalian MTERF2 functions as a positive regulator. Both proteins contact mtDNA in the promoter region, perhaps establishing interactions, either mutual or with other factors. Regulation of MTERF gene expression in human and Drosophila depends on nuclear transcription factors NRF-2 and DREF, respectively, and proceeds through pathways which appear to discriminate between factors positively or negatively acting in mitochondrial transcription. In this emerging scenario, it appears that MTERF proteins act to coordinate mitochondrial transcription.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1868-5021
1868-503X
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/1868-5021; https://doaj.org/toc/1868-503X
DOI: 10.1515/bmc.2010.015
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/8374bb59e7fd4782a5b712bfe63417a2
Accession Number: edsdoj.8374bb59e7fd4782a5b712bfe63417a2
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:18685021
1868503X
DOI:10.1515/bmc.2010.015
Published in:Biomolecular Concepts
Language:English