Current perspective of transcriptional regulators in human health and diseases

Transcription is a highly complex and most critical step associated with the expression of the genes by utilizing the information present in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to generate messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA). The process of transcription is influenced by a variety of regulators and is known as transcriptional regulators. Transcriptional regulations are central in controlling the gene expression and key biological processes which allow the cellular machinery to respond to a variety of intracellular and extracellular signals to decide cell identity and cellular activity. The transcriptional regulators include chromatin modifiers, DNA methylation, N6-methyladenosine (m6A), noncoding RNA, alternative splicing, transcription factors, enhancers, etc. In the present chapter, we have discussed the recent advancements and the mechanistic role of these transcriptional regulators in controlling gene expression. Additionally, we have highlighted and provided an overview that how deregulation of transcriptional regulators either due to genetic mutations or altered expression leads to the development and progression of human diseases with a special focus on human cancers.