Work

Mechanisms of transcriptional regulation by WT1 (Wilms’ tumour 1)

Year: 2014

Type: review

Abstract: The WT1 (Wilms' tumour 1) gene encodes a zinc finger transcription factor and RNA-binding protein that direct the development of several organs and tissues. WT1 manifests both tumour suppressor and oncogenic activities, but the reasons behind these opposing functions are still not clear. As a transcriptional regulator, WT1 can either activate or repress numerous target genes resulting in disparate biological effects such as growth, differentiation and apoptosis. The complex nature of WT1 is exemplified by a plethora of isoforms, post-translational modifications and multiple binding partners. How WT1 achieves specificity to regulate a large number of target genes involved in diverse physiological processes is the focus of the present review. We discuss the wealth of the growing molecular information that defines our current understanding of the versatility and utility of WT1 as a master regulator of organ development, a tumour suppressor and an oncogene.

Source: Biochemical Journal

DOI: 10.1042/bj20131587

Authors: Eneda Toska, Stefan G. E. Roberts

Institutions: University at Buffalo, State University of New York, University of Bristol

Language: English

Topic: Renal and related cancers

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Award: Functional analysis of the WT1-BASP1 transcriptional repressor complex