TATA-box-binding protein-related factor 2 (TRF2) is important in development and differentiation, but little has been known about how TRF2 controls transcription and gene expression. In the November 28 Nature, Andreas Hochheimer and colleagues demonstrate that TRF2 functions as a core promoter-selectivity factor in flies (Nature, 420:439-444, November 28, 2002).

Immuno-affinity purification of Drosophila TRF2-containing complexes showed that TRF2 interacts with DNA replication-related element binding factor (DREF) and several components of the nucleosome remodeling factor/chromatin remodeling complex. TRF2 regulates the DREF-responsive promoter of the PCNA gene. Microarray analysis showed that TRF2 may direct the expression of a subset of DRE-dependent genes. Results from RNA interference experiments provided additional support for the functional interaction between TRF2 and DREF in promoter selectivity.

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