SOX gene family

Last updated
SOXB subfamily, C-terminal next to HMG box
Identifiers
SymbolSOXp
Pfam PF12336
InterPro IPR022097
Available protein structures:
Pfam   structures / ECOD  
PDB RCSB PDB; PDBe; PDBj
PDBsum structure summary
SOXE, N-terminal
Identifiers
SymbolSox_N
Pfam PF12444
InterPro IPR022151
Available protein structures:
Pfam   structures / ECOD  
PDB RCSB PDB; PDBe; PDBj
PDBsum structure summary
SOXF, C-terminal, 9aaTAD
Identifiers
SymbolSOX_C
InterPro IPR021934
PROSITE PS51516
SOXF, central
Identifiers
SymbolSox17_18_mid
Pfam PF12067
InterPro IPR033392
Available protein structures:
Pfam   structures / ECOD  
PDB RCSB PDB; PDBe; PDBj
PDBsum structure summary

SOX genes ( SRY -related HMG-box genes) encode a family of transcription factors that bind to the minor groove in DNA, and belong to a super-family of genes characterized by a homologous sequence called the HMG-box (for high mobility group). This HMG box is a DNA binding domain that is highly conserved throughout eukaryotic species. Homologues have been identified in insects, nematodes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and a range of mammals. However, HMG boxes can be very diverse in nature, with only a few amino acids being conserved between species.

Contents

Sox genes are defined as containing the HMG box of a gene involved in sex determination called SRY , which resides on the Y-chromosome. There are 20 SOX genes present in humans and mice, and 8 present in Drosophila. Almost all Sox genes show at least 50% amino acid similarity with the HMG box in Sry. The family is divided into subgroups according to homology within the HMG domain and other structural motifs, as well as according to functional assays. [1]

The developmentally important Sox family has no singular function, and many members possess the ability to regulate several different aspects of development. While many Sox genes are involved in sex determination, some are also important in processes such as neuronal development. For example, Sox2 and Sox3 are involved in the transition of epithelial granule cells in the cerebellum to their migratory state. Sox 2 is also a transcription factor in the maintenance of pluripotency in both Early Embryos and ES Cells. [2] Granule cells then differentiate to granule neurons, with Sox11 being involved in this process. [3] It is thought that some Sox genes may be useful in the early diagnosis of childhood brain tumours due to this sequential expression in the cerebellum, making them a target for significant research.

Sox proteins bind to the sequence WWCAAW and similar sequences (W=A or T). They have weak binding specificity and unusually low affinity for DNA. Sox genes are related to the Tcf/Lef1 group of genes which also contain a sequence-specific high mobility group and have a similar sequence specificity (roughly TWWCAAAG). [4]

Groups

Sox genes are classified into groups. Sox genes from different groups share little similarity outside the DNA-binding domain. In mouse and human the members of the groups are: [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sex-determining region Y protein</span> Protein that initiates male sex determination in therian mammals

Sex-determining region Y protein (SRY), or testis-determining factor (TDF), is a DNA-binding protein encoded by the SRY gene that is responsible for the initiation of male sex determination in therian mammals. SRY is an intronless sex-determining gene on the Y chromosome. Mutations in this gene lead to a range of disorders of sex development with varying effects on an individual's phenotype and genotype.

High-Mobility Group or HMG is a group of chromosomal proteins that are involved in the regulation of DNA-dependent processes such as transcription, replication, recombination, and DNA repair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the LEF1 gene. It is a member of T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOX2</span> Transcription factor gene of the SOX family

SRY -box 2, also known as SOX2, is a transcription factor that is essential for maintaining self-renewal, or pluripotency, of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells. Sox2 has a critical role in maintenance of embryonic and neural stem cells.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOX4</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Transcription factor SOX-4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOX4 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOX3</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Transcription factor SOX-3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOX3 gene. This gene encodes a member of the SOX family of transcription factors involved in the regulation of embryonic brain development and in determination of cell fate. The encoded protein acts as a transcriptional activator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOX5</span> Protein-coding gene in Homo sapiens

Transcription factor SOX-5 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOX5 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOX13</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Transcription factor SOX-13 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOX13 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOX6</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Transcription factor SOX-6 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOX6 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TCF7</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Transcription factor 7 is the gene that in humans encodes for the TCF1 protein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOX18</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Transcription factor SOX-18 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOX18 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOX11</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Transcription factor SOX-11 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOX11 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOX8</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Transcription factor SOX-8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOX8 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOX15</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Protein SOX-15 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOX15 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOX12</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

SOX12 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOX12 gene. Sox12 belongs to the SoxC group of Sox family of transcription factors, together with Sox4 and Sox11. Sox12-null knockout mice appear normal, unlike Sox4 or Sox11 knockout mice. This probably comes from functional redundancy with Sox4 and Sox11. Sox12 is a weaker activator than both Sox4 and Sox11 in mouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOX14</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Transcription factor SOX-14 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOX14 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOX21</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Transcription factor SOX-21 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOX21 gene. It is a member of the Sox gene family of transcription factors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SOX1</span> Transcription factor gene of the SOX family

SOX1 is a gene that encodes a transcription factor with a HMG-box DNA-binding domain and functions primarily in neurogenesis. SOX1, SOX2 and SOX3, members of the SOX gene family, contain transcription factors related to SRY, the testis-determining factor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TCF/LEF family</span> Group of genes

The TCF/LEF family is a group of genes that encode transcription factors which bind to DNA through a SOX-like high mobility group domain. They are involved in the Wnt signaling pathway, particularly during embryonic and stem-cell development, but also had been found to play a role in cancer and diabetes. TCF/LEF factors recruit the coactivator beta-catenin to enhancer elements of genes they target. They can also recruit members of the Groucho family of corepressors.

SoxC group is group C of Sry-related HMG box proteins transcription factors. SoxC genes play an important role in determining the cell fate of neuronal mesenchymal progenitor cells in many developmental processes.

References

  1. ↑ Bowles, J; Schepers G; Koopman P. (November 2000). "Phylogeny of the SOX family of developmental transcription factors based on sequence and structural indicators". Dev. Biol. 227 (2): 239–55. doi: 10.1006/dbio.2000.9883 . PMID   11071752.
  2. ↑ Takahashi, Kazutoshi; Yamanaka, Shinya (2006-08-25). "Induction of pluripotent stem cells from mouse embryonic and adult fibroblast cultures by defined factors". Cell. 126 (4): 663–676. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2006.07.024 . hdl: 2433/159777 . ISSN   0092-8674. PMID   16904174.
  3. ↑ Rex, M; Church, R; Tointon, K; Ichihashi, RM; Mokhtar, S; Uwanogho, D; Sharpe, PT; Scotting, PJ (March 1998). "Granule cell development in the cerebellum is punctuated by changes in Sox gene expression". Molecular Brain Research. 55 (1): 28–34. doi:10.1016/S0169-328X(97)00354-9. PMID   9645957.
  4. ↑ Lefebvre V, Dumitriu B, Penzo-Méndez A, Han Y, Pallavi B (2007). "Control of cell fate and differentiation by Sry-related high-mobility-group box (Sox) transcription factors". Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. 39 (12): 2195–214. doi:10.1016/j.biocel.2007.05.019. PMC   2080623 . PMID   17625949.
  5. ↑ Guth SI, Wegner M (October 2008). "Having it both ways: Sox protein function between conservation and innovation". Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 65 (19): 3000–18. doi:10.1007/s00018-008-8138-7. PMID   18516494. S2CID   8943181.
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