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Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM): one actor for different roles

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Frontiers in Biology

Abstract

Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A (TFAM) is a nuclear-encoded factor present in mitochondria from all kinds of animals, even with a homologous form in yeast, which has strongly and progressively gained an eminent relevance in the regulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) functions. This is due to the various functions performed by the protein, which cover a very wide scenario including: replication, transcription, maintenance and eventually repair of mtDNA molecules. In consideration of so many different roles it plays, it can be understood there is a deep interest in its regulation of expression and activity as well as its eventual involvement in pathologies related to a decreased functionality/presence of the mitochondrial genome and the consequences of TFAM induced overexpression.

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  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ‘E. Quagliariello’, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy

    Angela M. S. Lezza

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Lezza, A.M.S. Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM): one actor for different roles. Front. Biol. 7, 30–39 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11515-011-1175-x

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