Mediator Complex Subunit 15 (MED15)

MED15 is a subunit of the multiprotein Mediator transcription complex (previously known as PC2, ARC, or DRIP) and may function as a transcriptional coactivator in RNA polymerase II transcription. MED15 cooperates with SREBP to regulate sterol responsive gene expression, and this regulatory action is conserved in the genetic model organism C. elegans, a roundworm (homologues MDT-15 and SBP-1). Also in C. elegans, MDT-15 is essential for the response to several stresses (fasting, heavy metal, toxin, and oxidative stress); at least in part the fasting response is conferred by interactions of MDT-15 with nuclear receptors, including NHR-49.The MED15 gene contains stretches of trinucleotide repeats and is located in the chromosome 22 region which is deleted in DiGeorge's syndrome.