BHLHE41

This gene encodes a basic helix-loop-helix protein expressed in various tissues. The encoded protein can interact with ARNTL or compete for E-box binding sites in the promoter of PER1 and repress CLOCK/ARNTL's transactivation of PER1. This gene is believed to be involved in the control of circadian rhythm and cell differentiation. Defects in this gene are associated with the short sleep phenotype. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2014]

Full Name

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Family Member E41

Function

Transcriptional repressor involved in the regulation of the circadian rhythm by negatively regulating the activity of the clock genes and clock-controlled genes (PubMed:11278948, PubMed:14672706, PubMed:15193144, PubMed:15560782, PubMed:18411297, PubMed:19786558, PubMed:25083013).
Acts as the negative limb of a novel autoregulatory feedback loop (DEC loop) which differs from the one formed by the PER and CRY transcriptional repressors (PER/CRY loop). Both these loops are interlocked as it represses the expression of PER1 and in turn is repressed by PER1/2 and CRY1/2. Represses the activity of the circadian transcriptional activator: CLOCK-ARNTL/BMAL1 heterodimer by competing for the binding to E-box elements (5'-CACGTG-3') found within the promoters of its target genes (PubMed:25083013).
Negatively regulates its own expression and the expression of DBP and BHLHE41/DEC2. Acts as a corepressor of RXR and the RXR-LXR heterodimers and represses the ligand-induced RXRA/B/G, NR1H3/LXRA, NR1H4 and VDR transactivation activity. Inhibits HNF1A-mediated transactivation of CYP1A2, CYP2E1 AND CYP3A11 (By similarity).

Biological Process

Anterior/posterior pattern specification Source: GO_Central
Circadian regulation of gene expression Source: GO_Central
Negative regulation of myotube differentiation Source: BHF-UCL
Negative regulation of transcription, DNA-templated Source: UniProtKB
Negative regulation of transcription by competitive promoter binding Source: BHF-UCL
Negative regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II Source: BHF-UCL
Regulation of neurogenesis Source: GO_Central
Regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II Source: GO_Central

Cellular Location

Nucleus