Co-regulator Interactions in Kruppel-like Factor Transcriptional Programs

Kruppel-like transcription factors (KLFs) comprise a family of gene regulatory proteins with diverse roles in cellular proliferation, survival, and differentiation. KLFs contain three characteristic, highly conserved C-terminal zinc fingers that coordinate sequence-specific DNA binding. Despite having highly homologous DNA binding domains, family members are able to regulate the expression of diverse target genes, resulting in both temporal and tissue-specific control of differentiation. To do this, KLFs have evolved distinct N-terminal regulatory domains that allow interaction with various co-regulators. This chapter describes the cofactors that interact with KLFs and outlines how these interactions potentiate or inhibit KLF transcriptional activity, how they help define target gene specificity, and how they dictate whether a gene is activated or repressed.