Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Transcriptional corepressors are proteins that inhibit gene expression by binding to transcription factors rather than directly binding to DNA themselves.
Proteins that control which genes are turned on or off by binding to nearby DNA. These would be other members of our police force directing different types of traffic.
Coactivators: Proteins that increase gene expression by interacting with transcription factors or RNA polymerase II – they're like dispatchers sending more cars onto our roadways.
Silencing Mediator for Retinoid or Thyroid-hormone receptors (SMRT): An example of a corepressor that regulates genes responsive to thyroid hormone – a specialized supervisor for certain types of traffic.