Dictionary > Transactivation

Transactivation

Definition
noun, plural: transactivations
(molecular biology, genetics) The stimulation of transcription by expressing an intermediate (transactivator) protein
Supplement
Transactivation refers to the increased rate of transcription. It can be stimulated by natural or by artificial means. By natural means, transactivation can be stimulated by endogenous transactivators, e.g. cellular or viral proteins. For instance, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can encode transactivators to increase their gene expression. This is also what human T-lymphotropic virus or human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) does. HTLV is also involved in causing a type of cancer called adult T-cell leukemia or lymphoma. The latter can cause leukemia primarily by interacting and increasing the expression of a cellular proto-oncogene. HTLV is also capable of infecting T cells and inside cause an increased expression of transcription factors and cytokines that in turn stimulate the proliferation of T cells leading o lymphoma.
Transactivation can also be induced artificially. Artificial transactivation of a gene is done by inserting a transactivator gene and promoter segments of DNA into a cell. This results in the expression of a transcription factor that binds to the promoter segment of the DNA resulting in the expression of that gene.
See also:

  • E2F transcription factor 2
  • Cue Domain-Containing Protein 2
  • transcription
  • transcription factor

Related term(s):

  • transactivate (verb)


  • You will also like...

    temperature - abiotic factor
    Abiotic and Biotic Factors

    This tutorial deals with the abiotic factors of the freshwater environment that determine what sort of life would be sui..

    An artist's depiction of the origin of amphibians
    Amphibians & Early Reptiles

    Obtaining air outside an aquatic environment required species to acquire suitable adaptations, and this was the case of ..

    Evolution of Life - Ancient Earth
    Evolution of Life – Ancient Earth

    Autotrophs flourished, absorbing carbon and light. Soon after, primitive life forms that could assimilate oxygen thrived..

    "Cronopio dentiacutus", a prehistoric mammal (an illustration)
    Mammalian Ancestors

    Mammals are a diverse group of organisms, where most of them develop their offspring within the uterus of the mother. Ov..

    Muscle
    Muscle

    Muscle cells are specialized to generate force and movement. Learn about the different types of muscle tissues in this t..

    Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand
    New Zealand’s Unique Geographical History

    Explore why New Zealand has such unique flora and fauna, and learn why long periods of geographical isolation. This less..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics