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Data from: Short activation domains control chromatin association of transcription factors

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Jan 31, 2025 version files 592.54 MB

Abstract

Transcription factors regulate gene expression with DNA-binding domains (DBDs) and activation domains. It is generally assumed that DBDs are solely responsible for interacting with DNA and chromatin. Here, we used single-molecule tracking of transcription factors in living cells to nd that short activation domains can control the fraction of molecules bound to chromatin. Activation domains with high bound fractions also have longer residence times on chromatin. Mutations in activation domains that increase activity of a transcriptional reporter increase the fraction of molecules bound to chromatin. Reciprocally, mutations that decrease reporter activity decrease fraction bound. These eects were consistent across three activation domains and three DBD classes. Taken together, these results suggest that activation domains play a major role in tethering transcription factors to chromatin, challenging the traditional view that the DBD is solely responsible for binding chromatin.