Signaling-to-chromatin pathways in the immune system.

TitleSignaling-to-chromatin pathways in the immune system.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
Authorsde Paz AMartínez, Josefowicz SZvi
JournalImmunol Rev
Volume300
Issue1
Pagination37-53
Date Published2021 03
ISSN1600-065X
Abstract

Complex organisms are able to respond to diverse environmental cues by rapidly inducing specific transcriptional programs comprising a few dozen genes among thousands. The highly complex environment within the nucleus-a crowded milieu containing large genomes tightly condensed with histone proteins in the form of chromatin-makes inducible transcription a challenge for the cell, akin to the proverbial needle in a haystack. The different signaling pathways and transcription factors involved in the transmission of information from the cell surface to the nucleus have been readily explored, but not so much the specific mechanisms employed by the cell to ultimately instruct the chromatin changes necessary for a fast and robust transcription activation. Signaling pathways rely on cascades of protein kinases that, in addition to activating transcription factors can also activate the chromatin template by phosphorylating histone proteins, what we refer to as "signaling-to-chromatin." These pathways appear to be selectively employed and especially critical for driving inducible transcription in macrophages and likely in diverse other immune cell populations. Here, we discuss signaling-to-chromatin pathways with potential relevance in diverse immune cell populations together with chromatin related mechanisms that help to "solve" the needle in a haystack challenge of robust chromatin activation and inducible transcription.

DOI10.1111/imr.12955
Alternate JournalImmunol Rev
PubMed ID33644906
Grant ListR01 AI148416 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
RM1 GM139738 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01AI148416 / / Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases /
R00GM113019 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
Related Faculty: 
Steven Josefowicz, Ph.D.

Pathology & Laboratory Medicine 1300 York Avenue New York, NY 10065 Phone: (212) 746-6464
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