Challenges of Decoding Transcription Factor Dynamics in Terms of Gene Regulation

Erik W Martin; Myong-Hee Sung

doi:10.3390/cells7090132

Challenges of Decoding Transcription Factor Dynamics in Terms of Gene Regulation

Cells. 2018 Sep 7;7(9):132. doi: 10.3390/cells7090132.

Authors

Erik W Martin¹, Myong-Hee Sung²

Affiliations

¹ Transcription Systems Dynamics and Biology Unit, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. erik.martin@nih.gov.
² Transcription Systems Dynamics and Biology Unit, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. sungm@mail.nih.gov.

Abstract

Technological advances are continually improving our ability to obtain more accurate views about the inner workings of biological systems. One such rapidly evolving area is single cell biology, and in particular gene expression and its regulation by transcription factors in response to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Regarding the study of transcription factors, we discuss some of the promises and pitfalls associated with investigating how individual cells regulate gene expression through modulation of transcription factor activities. Specifically, we discuss four leading experimental approaches, the data that can be obtained from each, and important considerations that investigators should be aware of when drawing conclusions from such data.

Keywords: fluorescent reporters; gene expression; microfluidics; microscopy; real-time dynamics; scRNA-seq; smRNA-FISH; systems biology; transcription factors.