MED4
MED4 (mediator complex subunit 4; also HSPC126, DRIP36, TRAP36 and VDRIP) is a nuclear component of the Mediator complex, a coactivator required for the regulated transcription of nearly all RNA polymerase II-dependent genes. It helps relay signals from gene-specific regulators to the basal transcription machinery. Browse Assay Genie's current range of MED4 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
MED4 is a subunit of the Mediator complex, a coactivator that controls the regulated transcription of nearly all RNA polymerase II-dependent genes. Mediator acts as a bridge, conveying information from gene-specific regulatory proteins to the basal RNA polymerase II transcription machinery. It is recruited to promoters by direct interactions with regulatory proteins, and it serves as a scaffold for assembling a functional preinitiation complex with RNA polymerase II and the general transcription factors. In this way the Mediator complex interacts with DNA-binding, gene-specific transcription factors to modulate transcription.
The MED4 protein is localised to the nucleus and belongs to the Mediator complex subunit 4 family. The human MED4 gene encodes this component, and the NCBI Gene summary notes that alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed. The mouse and rat orthologs are both named Med4, which allows comparative work across common model species. HGNC classifies MED4 in two gene groups: the Mediator complex and centriolar satellite proteins.
The gene has carried several names. Earlier names include vitamin D receptor interacting protein, which gave rise to the aliases VDRIP and DRIP36, and mediator of RNA polymerase II transcription, subunit 4 homolog (S. cerevisiae). Other aliases are TRAP36 and HSPC126. Researchers studying transcriptional coactivation, Mediator architecture or the assembly of the RNA polymerase II preinitiation complex use MED4 as a defined subunit of this large multiprotein assembly, and it is a natural point of reference when comparing the roles of individual Mediator components.
MED4 is part of Mediator, which coordinates regulated transcription of nearly all RNA polymerase II-dependent genes.
Mediator acts as a scaffold for assembling a functional preinitiation complex with RNA polymerase II and general transcription factors.
Mediator bridges gene-specific regulatory proteins and the basal transcription machinery, making its subunits relevant to coactivator studies.
HGNC lists MED4 among centriolar satellite proteins as well as the Mediator complex, linking it to both gene groups.
MED4 is a component of the Mediator complex, a coactivator for regulated transcription of nearly all RNA polymerase II-dependent genes. Mediator conveys information from gene-specific regulatory proteins to the basal RNA polymerase II machinery and acts as a scaffold for preinitiation complex assembly.
MED4 is also called HSPC126, DRIP36, TRAP36 and VDRIP. Its previous names include vitamin D receptor interacting protein and mediator of RNA polymerase II transcription, subunit 4 homolog (S. cerevisiae). The NCBI Gene summary notes that alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed.
Yes. Mouse and rat both have an ortholog named Med4, so the gene can be studied in common model species. Cross-reactivity differs between reagents, so check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other Mediator complex subunits and related targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9NPJ6; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.