| TFAP4 — Transcription Factor AP-4 | |
|---|---|
| Symbol | TFAP4 |
| Full Name | Transcription Factor AP-4 |
| Chromosome | 16p13.3 |
| NCBI Gene | 7023 |
| Ensembl | ENSG00000130247 |
| OMIM | 601681 |
| UniProt | Q01658 |
| Protein Class | bZIP Transcription Factor |
| Expression | Cerebral cortex, Hippocampus, Cerebellum, Widespread |
Tfap4 — Transcription Factor Ap 4 is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
TFAP4 (Transcription Factor AP-4) is a gene located on chromosome 16p13.3 encoding the AP-4 transcription factor, a member of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) family of transcription factors[1]. TFAP4 functions as a transcriptional activator that binds to the symmetric DNA sequence CAGTGT and regulates genes involved in cell growth, differentiation, and neuronal development[2]. The gene is catalogued as NCBI Gene ID 7023.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Gene Symbol | TFAP4 |
| Full Name | Transcription Factor AP-4 |
| Chromosomal Location | 16p13.3 |
| NCBI Gene ID | 7023 |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000130247 |
| OMIM ID | 601681 |
| UniProt ID | Q01658 |
| Protein Length | 641 amino acids |
| Molecular Weight | ~71 kDa |
TFAP4 contains several functional domains:
The protein localizes primarily to the nucleus where it functions as a sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factor[3].
TFAP4 regulates the expression of numerous target genes:
In the brain, TFAP4 is expressed in:
TFAP4 plays roles in:
TFAP4 mutations have been associated with:
While TFAP4 is not a primary disease-causing gene in major neurodegenerative diseases, it may play modulatory roles:
The study of Tfap4 — Transcription Factor Ap 4 has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
Bushel P, et al. (1999). Cloning and characterization of AP-4, a novel bZIP transcription factor that interacts with c-Maf. Nucleic Acids Res. 27(19):3804-3810. PMID:10488218 ↩︎
Jakel S, et al. (2009). The AP-4 family of transcription factors: a novel family involved in neuronal development and disease. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 29(6-7):961-972. PMID:19387708 ↩︎
Vallaster MP, et al. (2015). TFAP4 regulates glycolytic genes and promotes cell proliferation in cancer. Oncotarget. 6(15):13264-13276. PMID:25940712 ↩︎