MED7 Human
Description
Clinical Significance in Breast Cancer
Research across multiple cohorts reveals MED7's prognostic value:
Key findings:
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High MED7 expression correlates with luminal A/B breast cancer subtypes and ER/PR positivity .
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Inverse relationship with aggressive features (e.g., larger tumor size, high Nottingham Prognostic Index) .
Epigenetic and Transcriptional Roles
MED7’s interaction with histone modifications suggests a role in epigenetic regulation:
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Positive associations: H4K12ac (acetylated histone H4) and H4R3Me2 (arginine-methylated histone H4), both markers of active transcription .
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Functional conjecture: MED7 may recruit histone-modifying enzymes to ER-responsive genes, enhancing anti-proliferative signaling in luminal cancers .
Expression Profiles
Tissue distribution:
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mRNA: Ubiquitous expression, with elevated levels in breast, liver, and lymphoid tissues .
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Protein: Strong nuclear staining in glandular cells (e.g., breast, prostate) .
Cancer relevance:
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Downregulated in metastatic breast cancer compared to primary tumors .
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Loss of MED7 linked to poor differentiation in hepatocellular carcinoma .
Research Gaps and Future Directions
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
The Mediator complex is a crucial component of the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription machinery in eukaryotic cells. It serves as a bridge, facilitating communication between gene-specific transcription factors and the Pol II enzyme, thereby regulating gene expression. One of the key subunits of this complex is Mediator Complex Subunit 7 (MED7).
MED7 is a protein-coding gene that plays a significant role in transcriptional regulation. It is part of the central module of the Mediator complex, which is essential for the assembly and stability of the entire complex . MED7 interacts with other subunits within the Mediator complex to form a scaffold that supports the binding of transcription factors and Pol II .
MED7 is involved in various biological processes, including:
- Transcriptional Regulation: MED7 acts as a coactivator, enhancing the transcription of specific genes by facilitating the interaction between transcription factors and Pol II .
- Cell Differentiation: MED7 is implicated in the regulation of cell differentiation, particularly in white adipocyte differentiation .
- Stress Response: Studies have shown that MED7 is responsive to various stress conditions, such as heavy metal exposure, low temperature, and hormonal treatments .
MED7 has been identified as a potential biomarker for certain types of cancer. For instance, high MED7 expression is associated with a good prognosis in invasive breast cancer, particularly in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) luminal subtypes . This suggests that MED7 could be used as a prognostic marker to predict patient outcomes and tailor treatment strategies.
Human recombinant MED7 is produced using recombinant DNA technology, which involves inserting the MED7 gene into a suitable expression system, such as bacteria or yeast, to produce the protein in large quantities. This recombinant protein can be used in various research applications, including:
- Structural Studies: Understanding the structure of MED7 and its interactions with other Mediator subunits.
- Functional Assays: Investigating the role of MED7 in transcriptional regulation and other cellular processes.
- Drug Development: Screening for potential therapeutic compounds that target MED7 or its interactions within the Mediator complex.
