DNA Replication & Transcription Antibodies

DNA replication is the process by which DNA is duplicated or copied prior to cell division, and which allows the daughter cell to retain a set of its own genetic material. During this process, the two DNA strands are unwound by helicases forming replication forks, and DNA is copied by DNA polymerases to form daughter DNA strands. In eukaryotic cells, the nucleosomes at replication forks must be disassembled and then assembled back. DNA replication progresses by duplication of the DNA at several replication origins. DNA replication follows a semiconservative model, where each daughter cell retains an original parental DNA strand and a newly synthesized daughter strand.

Transcription factors are DNA-binding proteins that regulate gene expression. They can possess more than one DNA-binding domain and may operate alone or form homodimers and heterodimers. After transcription factor binding to DNA, these proteins promote or inhibit RNA polymerase recruitment, thus are considered either activators or repressors. In addition, transcription factors can recruit coactivators and corepressors, or may catalyze histone acetylation and deacetylation. When triggered by environmental or biological stimuli, transcription factors can operate downstream of signaling cascades to alter the expression of target genes. Some transcription factors require ligand binding since this can cause nuclear translocation and variations in the binding affinities for DNA and cofactors. During development, a variety of stimuli can cause transcription factors to upregulate or downregulate gene expression at certain times to ensure proper growth. Transcription factors can also act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors and have been linked to various cancers. Hence, therapeutic approaches in cancer therapy often involve targeting transcription factor families.