Transcription factor MafB also known as V-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog B is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MAFB gene. This gene maps to chromosome 20q11.2-q13.1, consists of a single exon and spans around 3 kb. [5] [6]
MafB is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor that plays an important role in the regulation of lineage-specific hematopoiesis. The encoded nuclear protein represses ETS1-mediated transcription of erythroid-specific genes in myeloid cells. [6]
Mutations in the murine Mafb gene are responsible for the mutant mouse Kreisler (kr) that presents an abnormal segmentation of the hindbrain and exhibit hyperactive behavior, including head tossing and running in circles. [7] This mice dies at birth due to renal failure whereas the Mafb -/- mice dies of central apnea. [8]
Recently, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near MAFB have been found associated with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate. [9] The GENEVA Cleft Consortium study, a genomewide association study involving 1,908 case-parent trios from Europe, the United States, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, and the Philippines, first identified MAFB as being associated with cleft lip and/or palate with stronger genome-wide significance in Asian than European populations. The difference in populations could reflect variable coverage by available markers or true allelic heterogeneity. [10] In mouse models, Mafb mRNA and protein were detected in both craniofacial ectoderm and neural crest-derived mesoderm between embryonic days 13.5 and 14.5; expression was strong in the epithelium around the palatal shelves and in the medial edge epithelium during palatal fusion. After fusion, Mafb expression was stronger in oral epithelium compared to mesenchymal tissue. [9] In addition, sequencing analysis detected a new missense mutation in the Filipino population, H131Q, that was significantly more frequent in cases than in matched controls. [9] The gene-poor regions either side of the MAFB gene include numerous binding sites for transcription factors that are known to have a role in palate development. [11]
Interferon regulatory factor 6 also known as IRF6 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IRF6 gene.
Tumor protein p63, typically referred to as p63, also known as transformation-related protein 63 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TP63 gene.
Small ubiquitin-related modifier 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SUMO1 gene.
Homeobox protein MSX-1, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MSX1 gene. MSX1 transcripts are not only found in thyrotrope-derived TSH cells, but also in the TtT97 thyrotropic tumor, which is a well differentiated hyperplastic tissue that produces both TSHß- and a-subunits and is responsive to thyroid hormone. MSX1 is also expressed in highly differentiated pituitary cells which until recently was thought to be expressed exclusively during embryogenesis. There is a highly conserved structural organization of the members of the MSX family of genes and their abundant expression at sites of inductive cell–cell interactions in the embryo suggest that they have a pivotal role during early development.
Protein patched homolog 1 is a protein that is the member of the patched family and in humans is encoded by the PTCH1 gene.
ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A (ABC1), member 4, also known as ABCA4 or ABCR, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the ABCA4 gene.
Transcription factor SOX-9 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOX9 gene.
Transcription factor Maf also known as proto-oncogene c-Maf or V-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the MAF gene.
Platelet-derived growth factor C, also known as PDGF-C, is a 345-amino acid protein that in humans is encoded by the PDGFC gene. Platelet-derived growth factors are important in connective tissue growth, survival and function, and consist of disulphide-linked dimers involving two polypeptide chains, PDGF-A and PDGF-B. PDGF-C is a member of the PDGF/VEGF family of growth factors with a unique two-domain structure and expression pattern. PDGF-C was not previously identified with PDGF-A and PDGF-B, possibly because it may be that it is synthesized and secreted as a latent growth factor, requiring proteolytic removal of the N-terminal CUB domain for receptor binding and activation.
Forkhead box protein E1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FOXE1 gene.
Transcription factor AP-2 alpha, also known as TFAP2A, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TFAP2A gene.
Transcription factor MafF is a bZip Maf transcription factor protein that in humans is encoded by the MAFF gene.
PHD finger protein 8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PHF8 gene.
Cleft lip and palate transmembrane protein 1 (Clptm1) is a multi-transmembrane protein that in humans is encoded by the CLPTM1 gene. Clptm1 was characterized in 1995 as a surface membrane protein in the thymus during embryonic development in mice and is suggested to have an important role in T-cell development. A more recent study shows a role in GABAA receptor subunit intracellular anchoring and regulation resulting in an influence on synaptic strength Clptm1 belongs to a family of several eukaryotic cleft lip and palate transmembrane protein 1 sequences.
T-box transcription factor TBX22 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TBX22 gene.
Ventral anterior homeobox 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the VAX1 gene.
FaceBase is an NIH-supported initiative that began in September 2009. Funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the FaceBase Consortium is a five-year initiative that systematically compiles the biological instructions to construct the middle region of the human face and precisely define the genetics underlying its common developmental disorders such as cleft lip and palate. A range of genetic and environmental factors are thought to contribute to facial clefting and FaceBase is designed to enhance investigations into these causes and their outcomes.
Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB2) also known as DNA-binding protein SATB2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SATB2 gene. SATB2 is a DNA-binding protein that specifically binds nuclear matrix attachment regions and is involved in transcriptional regulation and chromatin remodeling. SATB2 shows a restricted mode of expression and is expressed in certain cell nuclei. The SATB2 protein is mainly expressed in the epithelial cells of the colon and rectum, followed by the nuclei of neurons in the brain.
Mitochondrial translational release factor 1-like is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MTRF1L gene.
ARHGAP29 is a gene located on chromosome 1p22 that encodes Rho GTPase activating protein (GAP) 29, a protein that mediates the cyclical regulation of small GTP binding proteins such as RhoA.
This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.