Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors

Abstract Helix-Loop-Helix (HLH) proteins are involved in transcriptional regulation of gene expression. The HLH domain is a DNA-binding dimerization domain which mediates homodimerization and heterodimerization with other HLH proteins. This new volume in the Protein Profile series explores the sequence specificity of DNA binding, the nature of dimerization partners, the regulation of target genes by HLH proteins, and the negative regulation of some bHLH proteins by HLH proteins which lack a functional DNA-binding domain. Topics include the role of HLH proteins in such diverse areas as myogenesis, neurogenesis, haematopoeisis, and sex determination; tissue specific HLH proteins; the role of HLH proteins in yeast and plants; nuclear localization of HLH proteins, transactivation domains and post-translational modification.