The phosphorylatable Ser320 of NF-YA is involved in DNA binding of the NF-Y trimer

What is it about?

The roles and functions each cell performs within the body of living organisms is ultimately determined by execution, on proper time and locations, of directives that are inherent in their own "instruction manual": the genome. The definition of a cell identity and its skills is thus accomplished by expression of specific sets of genes, whose activities allow the cells to grow, develop and conduct their particular tasks within tissues. Key players in the regulation of gene expression are Transcription Factors, which bind to DNA in regulatory regions located nearby genes. Some genetic diseases, such as cancer, for example, are caused by mutations in Transcription Factors, which wrongly instruct the cell on the tasks to perform, driving them to proliferate in uncontrolled ways, losing their identity._x000D_ Our work focuses on the mechanisms that orchestrate gene expression, in particular on how Transcription Factors can bind and recognize the regulatory elements of genes, to control when they are to be turned on, or off. _x000D_ Our findings reveal the molecular switch controlling the DNA binding properties of NF-Y, a Transcription Factor which works as a "pioneer" to regulate many genes involved cell division and growth. Addition of a negative charge on the DNA recognition portion of this protein destabilizes its tight association to its target, reducing its ability to activate gene expression._x000D_ Timely regulation of NF-Y detachment from DNA might provide us with the hints on how to derail the cells from a path of uncontrolled growth that is typical of cancer cells.

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