MAF
Description
The MAF (MAF bZIP transcription factor) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 16.
MAF, also known as c-Maf, is a transcription factor that can act as both an activator and repressor of gene expression. It plays a role in lens development, specifically in the differentiation of lens fiber cells. MAF interacts with coactivators CREBBP and EP300 to regulate crystallin gene expression. In T cells, MAF activates the expression of IL4, a cytokine involved in the Th2 response. MAF also interacts with MYB, contributing to increased T cell apoptosis. In collaboration with PAX6, MAF activates the glucagon gene promoter. MAF also regulates the expression of the CD13 gene, activating it in endothelial cells and repressing it in myelopoiesis. It is involved in the differentiation of chondrocytes during bone development. MAF binds to specific DNA sequences, including the T-MARE sites in crystallin gene promoters, the G1 element in the glucagon promoter, and the ARE sites in detoxifying enzyme gene promoters. Overexpression of MAF can repress ARE-mediated transcription. MAF‘s role in cellular processes can vary, depending on the context, sometimes acting as an oncogene and other times as a tumor suppressor.
MAF is also known as AYGRP, CCA4, CTRCT21, c-MAF.
