MAFK
Description
The MAFK (MAF bZIP transcription factor K) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 7.
MafK, encoded by the MAFK gene, is a bZIP transcription factor belonging to the small Maf protein family. It was first identified in chicken in 1993 and has since been found in many vertebrates, including humans. MafK is one of three functionally redundant sMaf proteins, alongside MafF and MafG. It has a bZIP structure with a basic region for DNA binding and a leucine zipper for dimerization. Notably, MafK lacks a canonical transcriptional activation domain. MAFK is expressed in various tissues, with relatively high levels in adipose, lung, and skeletal muscle.
MafK, a member of the small Maf family of transcription factors, lacks a transactivation domain and acts as a repressor when forming homodimers. However, it can act as an activator by heterodimerizing with other basic-zipper proteins like NFE2, NFE2L1/NRF1, NFE2L2/NRF2, and NFE2L3/NRF3, recruiting them to specific DNA-binding sites. MafK can also heterodimerize with Fos, potentially acting as a competitive repressor of the NF-E2 transcription factor.
MAFK is also known as NFE2U, P18.
