Mediator Complex

The mammalian Mediator complex is a multi-subunit protein complex that acts to relay signals from transcription factors to RNA polymerase II (Pol II) and the basal transcription machinery. In other words, Mediator acts as a centralized hub or integrator for transcriptional regulation. Multiple studies have shown that Mediator functions include epigenetic regulation, transcriptional elongation, transcription termination, mRNA processing, non-coding RNA activation, and super-enhancer formation. Through these functions, Mediator contributes to the regulation of many biological processes, including insulin signaling, NF-κB-dependent signaling, stem cell pluripotency and self-renewal, and proliferation of colon cancer cells. The Mediator complex consists of 31 protein subunits and can be divided into four distinct modules: the head, middle, tail, and CDK8 kinase module. The CDK8 kinase module contains the CDK8, cyclin C, MED12, and MED13 subunits and is thought to act as a molecular switch, phosphorylating the C-terminal domain (CTD) of Rpb1, the large subunit of Pol II, to inhibit Pol II recruitment and transcription initiation.

Eukaryotic transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II (Pol II).

Relevent antibodies

Flora Flora is a technical support expert at EnkiLife, familiar with immunology and neuroscience, dedicated to providing customers with high-quality product combinations and technical support to help achieve research in neurodegenerative diseases and other neuroscience areas.