Pioneer factors are a subclass of transcription factors that can bind and initiate opening of silent chromatin regions. Pioneer factors subsequently regulate lineage-specific genes and enhancers and, thus, activate the zygotic genome after fertilization, guide cell fate transitions during development, and promote various forms of human cancers. As such, pioneer factors are useful in directed cell reprogramming. In this review, we define the structural and functional characteristics of pioneer factors, how they bind and initiate opening of closed chromatin regions, and the consequences for chromatin dynamics and gene expression during cell differentiation. We also discuss emerging mechanisms that modulate pioneer factors during development.

先锋因子是转录因子的一个亚类，可以结合并启动沉默染色质区域的打开。先锋因子随后调节谱系特异性基因和增强子，从而在受精后激活合子基因组，指导发育过程中的细胞命运转变，并促进各种形式的人类癌症。因此，先锋因子可用于定向细胞重编程。在这篇综述中，我们定义了先锋因子的结构和功能特征，它们如何结合和启动封闭染色质区域的打开，以及细胞分化过程中染色质动力学和基因表达的后果。我们还讨论了在发展过程中调节先锋因素的新兴机制。