Mediator complex subunit 15 (MED15)

Mediator complex subunit 15 (MED15) is a general transcriptional coactivator and a member of the tail module within the multi-subunit Mediator complex[4][2]. It acts as a crucial bridge between transcriptional activators and the RNA polymerase II enzyme, conveying regulatory signals to enable or modulate gene expression[4][3]. MED15 contains prion-like domains with polyglutamine tracts, which give it the ability to undergo conformational changes, form protein aggregates, and possibly contribute to epigenetic regulation[2][3]. Its protein interaction domains (including multiple activator-binding domains and KIX domain) serve as binding sites for a wide array of transcription factors[3][4]. MED15 is conserved across eukaryotes, essential for normal cellular activities, and implicated in cell differentiation, stress response, and immunity, especially in model plants and yeasts[1][5]. In humans, MED15 is associated with regulatory events in lipid metabolism, cellular stress adaptation, and developmental signaling pathways[4][5]. Disturbances in its gene or protein aggregation behavior have potential implications in cancer, neurodegeneration, and genetic syndromes, but no drugs currently target MED15 directly.

Other names

PCQAPARC105CTG7ATIG-1TNRC7Gal11 (yeast)Spt13 (yeast)Positive cofactor 2 glutamine/Q-rich-associated proteinActivator-recruited cofactor 105 kDa componentTPA-inducible gene 1 proteinTrinucleotide repeat-containing gene 7 protein