{
  "id": 13391724,
  "title": "Transcription factor interactions promote binding to non-cognate DNA sites",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/transcription-factor-interactions-promote-binding-to-non-cognate-dna",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-10T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.08.757710v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Researchers have discovered that transcription factors (TFs) can recruit themselves to non-cognate DNA sites, opening new possibilities for DNA recognition on nucleosomes. The study reveals that Sox2, a type of TF, can bind an Oct4 motif, interact with Oct4's POU-specific domain, and displace Oct4's homeodomain within the nucleosome. Furthermore, multiple Sox2 molecules or nearby Oct4-bound nucleosomes can enhance these interactions. Interestingly, TF-TF interactions can bridge across DNA gyres, bringing together binding sites that are far apart in linear DNA but close together on the nucleosome. Sox2 can also engage across nucleosomal DNA gyres through loop regions and intrinsically disordered segments, adding another mode of chromatin binding. By examining these structural and biochemical data, scientists have gained insights into how TF-TF interactions modify DNA recognition on the nucleosome, facilitating binding to non-cognate sequences and broadening the range of pioneer factor interactions on chromatin.",
  "summary": "Recruitment of transcription factors (TFs) to non-cognate DNA sequences is widely observed, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we show that, within the nucleosome, Sox2 can bind an Oct4 motif, interact with the Oct4 POU-specific domain, and displace the Oct4 homeodomain. We also observe Sox2 binding at multiple near-canonical and non-canonical DNA sites, with these…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}