MAFG

Description

The MAFG (MAF bZIP transcription factor G) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 17.

Transcription factor MafG is a bZIP Maf transcription factor protein encoded by the MAFG gene in humans. It belongs to the small Maf proteins, which are basic region and leucine zipper (bZIP)-type transcription factors. The HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee-approved gene name of MAFG is “v-maf avian musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog G”. MafG was first cloned and identified in chicken in 1995 as a new member of the small Maf (sMaf) genes. MAFG has been identified in many vertebrates, including humans. There are three functionally redundant sMaf proteins in vertebrates, MafF, MafG, and MafK. MafG has a bZIP structure that consists of a basic region for DNA binding and a leucine zipper structure for dimer formation. Similar to other sMafs, MafG lacks any canonical transcriptional activation domains. MAFG is broadly but differentially expressed in various tissues. MAFG expression was detected in all 16 tissues examined by the human BodyMap Project, but relatively abundant in lung, lymph node, skeletal muscle and thyroid tissues. MafG gene expression is induced by oxidative stresses, such as hydrogen peroxide and electrophilic compounds.

MAFG, lacking a transactivation domain, acts as a transcriptional repressor when forming homodimers. However, it functions as a transcriptional activator when dimerizing with larger basic-zipper proteins like NFE2, NFE2L1, and NFE2L2, facilitating their binding to specific DNA regions. MAFG can also heterodimerize with Fos, potentially acting as a repressor for NFE2L2. As a component of the erythroid-specific transcription factor NFE2L2, MAFG activates globin gene expression. MAFG might participate in the signal transduction of extracellular H+.

MAFG is also known as hMAF.

Associated Diseases

WES Whole Exome Sequencing