TAL3

TAL3, also known as Transcriptional Activator Like Effector 3, is a gene that encodes a protein belonging to the transcriptional activator-like effector (TALE) family. TALEs are a class of DNA-binding proteins that are naturally found in plant pathogenic bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas. These bacterial proteins are secreted into the host plant cells and bind to specific DNA sequences in the plant genome, leading to the activation or repression of target genes. This manipulation of plant gene expression contributes to the development of plant diseases.

The human TAL3 gene is thought to play a role in transcriptional regulation. While its exact physiological function in humans is not fully elucidated, TALE proteins are characterized by a modular DNA-binding domain composed of repeating units, each recognizing a specific DNA base. This modularity has made TALEs valuable tools in molecular biology, particularly in the development of gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9, where TALE proteins were used for targeted DNA binding before the widespread adoption of CRISPR. Research into the specific roles and interactions of human TAL3 is ongoing. Mutations or alterations in TAL3 have been investigated in relation to certain human diseases, though conclusive links are still being established.