DNA Bends the Knee to Transcription Factors

During gene expression, multiprotein-DNA complexes are formed to regulate transcription. Binding of transcription factors can locally deform DNA, for example, by bending its helical axis. Dimers or oligomers of transcription factors may interact with DNA at multiple sites and determine the bending angle collectively. Bending may have a role in transcription regulation in several ways (1). It can loop the DNA to bring distal DNA regions (such as promoters and enhancers) into close proximity. It can also mediate interactions between transcription factors by wrapping the DNA around the large interacting protein complexes.

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