SOX12
Description
The SOX12 (SRY-box transcription factor 12) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 20.
SOX12 is a protein encoded by the SOX12 gene in humans. It belongs to the SoxC group of the SOX family of transcription factors, along with SOX4 and SOX11. Unlike SOX4 or SOX11 knockout mice, SOX12-null knockout mice appear normal, likely due to functional redundancy with SOX4 and SOX11. SOX12 is a weaker activator than both SOX4 and SOX11 in mice. SOX family members are characterized by a DNA-binding high mobility group (HMG) domain, similar to the HMG box of the sex-determining region Y (SRY). These proteins are involved in cell fate decisions during various developmental processes. SOX transcription factors have diverse tissue-specific expression patterns during early development and are proposed to act as target-specific transcription factors and/or chromatin structure regulatory elements. The SOX12 protein was identified as a member of the SOX family based on its conserved domains and its expression in various tissues suggests a role in both differentiation and maintenance of several cell types.
SOX12 binds to DNA at the sequence 5'-ACCAAAG-3' and acts as a transcriptional activator. It can cooperate with POU3F2/BRN2 or POU3F1/OCT6 to enhance gene activation. SOX12 plays a role in the differentiation of naive CD4+ T-cells into peripherally induced regulatory T (pTreg) cells under inflammatory conditions. It binds to the promoter region of the FOXP3 gene, promoting its transcription and contributing to pTreg cell differentiation in the spleen and lymph nodes. SOX12 also contributes to organogenesis by acting redundantly with SOX4 and SOX11 in cell survival of developing tissues like the neural tube, branchial arches, and somites.
SOX12 is also known as SOX22.
