Edited by
I.L. Cartwright, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Description
The revolution in biological research initiated by the demonstration that particular DNA molecules could be isolated, recombined in novel
ways, and conveniently replicated to high copy number in vivo for further study, that is, the recombinant DNA era, has spawned many additional
advances, both methodological and intellectual, that have enhanced our understanding of cellular processes to an astonishing degree.
As part of the subsequent outpouring of information, research exploring the mechanisms of gene regulation, both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
(but particularly the latter), has been particularly well represented. Although no one technical approach can be said to have brought
the filed to its current level of sophistication, the ability to map the interactions of trans-acting factors with their DNA recognition
sequences to a high level of precision has certainly been one of the more important advances. This "footprinting" approach has become
almost ubiquitous in gene regulatory studies; however, it is in its "
in vivo" application that ambiguities, confusions, and
inconsistencies that may arise from a purely "
in vitro"-based approach can often be resolved and placed in their proper perspective.
Put more simply, that an interaction can be demonstrated to occur between purified factors and a particular piece of DNA in a test tube
does not, of course, say anything regarding whether such interactions are occurring
in vivo. The ability to probe for such interactions
as they occur inside cells, with due attention paid to the relevant developmental stage, or to the tissue specificity of the interaction
being probed, has made
in vivo footprinting approach an invaluable adjunct to the "gene jockey's" arsenal of weapons.
Included in series
Advances in Molecular and Cell Biology
