This book is the first volume in a new series Progress in Gene Expres sion. The control of gene expression is a central-most topic in molecular biology as it deals with the utilization and regulation of gene informa tion. As we see huge efforts mounting all over the developed world to understand the structure and organization of several complex eukaryotic genomes in the form of Gene Projects and Genome Centers, we have to remember that without understanding the basic mechanisms that gov ern the use of genetic information, much of this effort will not be very productive. Fortunately, however, research during the past seven years on the mechanisms that control gene expression in eukaryotes has been extremely successful in generating a wealth of information on the basic strategies of transcriptional control. (Although regulation of gene ex pression is exerted at many different levels, much of the emphasis in this series will be on transcriptional control. A future volume, however, will deal with other levels of regulation). The progress in understanding the control of eukaryotic transcription can only be appreciated by realizing that seven years ago we did not know the primary structure of a single sequence specific transcriptional activator, and those whose primary structures were available (e. g. , homeo domain proteins) were not yet recognized to function in this capacity. This book is the first volume in a new series Progress in Gene ExpresƯ sion. The control of gene expression is a central-most topic in molecular biology as it deals with the utilization and regulation of gene informaƯ tion. As we see huge efforts mounting all over the developed world to understand the structure and organization of several complex eukaryotic genomes in the form of Gene Projects and Genome Centers, we have to remember that without understanding the basic mechanisms that govƯ ern the use of genetic information, much of this effort will not be very productive. Fortunately, however, research during the past seven years on the mechanisms that control gene expression in eukaryotes has been extremely successful in generating a wealth of information on the basic strategies of transcriptional control. (Although regulation of gene exƯ pression is exerted at many different levels, much of the emphasis in this series will be on transcriptional control. A future volume, however, will deal with other levels of regulation). The progress in understanding the control of eukaryotic transcription can only be appreciated by realizing that seven years ago we did not know the primary structure of a single sequence specific transcriptional activator, and those whose primary structures were available (e. g., homeoƯ domain proteins) were not yet recognized to function in this capacity This exciting collection of review articles, written by the world's top molecular and cellular biologists, provides a comprehensive introduction to this important area of molecular biology. Each chapter begins with the basic concepts and progresses to a state-of-the-art review of current literature, making the book invaluable for students entering the field. Seasoned researchers will value the keen insights into related areas, such as immunology, neuroscience, and endocrinology. Topics include: Basic transcription, Cell differentiation and plasticity, Gene regulation by steroid hormones, Cellular proliferation, Muscle-specific gene expression, Gene expression and differentiation in the hematopoietic system, Hepatic gene expression and its regulation, and Gene expression and differentiation of neuroendocrine cells Front Matter....Pages i-xi The Basic Transcriptional Machinery....Pages 1-24 Plasticity of the Differentiated State....Pages 25-42 Gene Regulation by Steroid Hormones....Pages 43-75 Control of Transcription and Cellular Proliferation by cAMP....Pages 76-92 Transcription Factors Controlling Muscle-Specific Gene Expression....Pages 93-115 Gene Expression in Hematopoietic Cells: The β -Globin Gene....Pages 116-161 Transcriptional Control of Gene Expression in Hepatic Cells....Pages 162-242 Transcriptional Control of Pituitary Gene Expression....Pages 243-295 Back Matter....Pages 297-303
