About BTF / Basic Transcription Factor:
The Basic Transcription Factor Protein or BTF is a protein that is directly involved with the process of converting or transcribing DNA to RNA. There are up to 1600 TF in the human genome and the function of BTF is to regulate genes - turn on or off. This is to enable them to make sure they are expressed in the correct cell at the right time and in the right place throughout the lifespan of a cell.
BTF Function
The BTF protein is part of a specific group of proteins that read and interpret DNA, specifically the genetic blueprint of DNA. The BTF protein will then bind to the DNA and initiate a program of gene transcription. This makes them vital for many cellular processes.
Transcription Factors bind to regions of the DNA that are adjacent to the genes they specifically regulate. This can be either the enhancer or regulator regions.
BTF mutations can cause specific diseases and as such, they are of interest to medical professionals to potentially be able to manufacture medication to target such mutations
Basic Transcription Factor Interactions
BTF will either work alone or alongside other proteins in a complex. They either act as an activator by promoting or blocking in which they act as a repressor in the recruitment of the enzyme that performs the transcription of genetic information, RNA polymerase, to specific genes.
BTF Structure
The structure of BTFs is modular and contain the following; DNA Binding Domain (DBD), Activation Domain (AD), and an optional signal sensing domain (SSD).