Could someone explain me in detail what is meant by "TF expression LEVEL", what does it represent and how is it measured? This is for example used in figure 3 of this paper: A census of human transcription factors: function, expression and evolution.
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$\begingroup$ Where did you find this expression? $\endgroup$– Chris ♦Commented Mar 2, 2017 at 11:53
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$\begingroup$ @Chris In scientific litterature, I am trying to understand a paper on the topic. Google gives more than 15o.ooo results containing the exact expression "Transcription Factor expression level". Any ideas what it means ? $\endgroup$– NocturneCommented Mar 2, 2017 at 11:59
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$\begingroup$ I understand that. Can you link the paper in quest and probably also say in which section it is? That may make the answer easier. $\endgroup$– Chris ♦Commented Mar 2, 2017 at 12:00
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$\begingroup$ nature.com/nrg/journal/v10/n4/full/nrg2538.html see Figure 3, for example $\endgroup$– NocturneCommented Mar 2, 2017 at 12:15
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Transcription factors are an important cellular regulatory mechanism to control gene expression. The expression of TF is important for cell function, differentiation and also for responses to environmental signals.
We know quite a number of different TF, but only for a little part of them their exact function (in terms of which in which tissues they are expressed, when and which genes they regulate) and this is where the paper you read comes in.
They test for the expression of roughly 1400 TF in a number of different tissues, to see where they are expressed (figure 3 from the paper):
The group used micro-arrays to analyze the expression levels (in this case how much transcript from the genes is made assuming that this also translated). The quantification was done using the signal strength of the array - the more transcript you have, the stronger the signal is.
The expression of a certain TF in a specific tissues shows its involvement in gene regulation (either direct or indirect) there.
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$\begingroup$ Thank you ! What does it mean for a TF to be expressed in a tissue ? Does it mean that it participates in gene transcription in the cells of this tissue ? $\endgroup$– NocturneCommented Mar 2, 2017 at 12:55
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$\begingroup$ Yes, either directly in the expression or indirectly in its regulation. Transcription complexes are often very big. $\endgroup$– Chris ♦Commented Mar 2, 2017 at 12:59