MAFF

The protein encoded by this gene is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor that lacks a transactivation domain. It is known to bind the US-2 DNA element in the promoter of the oxytocin receptor (OTR) gene and most likely heterodimerizes with other leucine zipper-containing proteins to enhance expression of the OTR gene during term pregnancy. The encoded protein can also form homodimers, and since it lacks a transactivation domain, the homodimer may act as a repressor of transcription. This gene may also be involved in the cellular stress response. Multiple transcript variants encoding two different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq]

Full Name

MAFF

Function

Since they lack a putative transactivation domain, the small Mafs behave as transcriptional repressors when they dimerize among themselves (PubMed:8932385).
However, they seem to serve as transcriptional activators by dimerizing with other (usually larger) basic-zipper proteins, such as NFE2L1/NRF1, and recruiting them to specific DNA-binding sites. Interacts with the upstream promoter region of the oxytocin receptor gene (PubMed:8932385, PubMed:16549056).
May be a transcriptional enhancer in the up-regulation of the oxytocin receptor gene at parturition (PubMed:10527846).

Biological Process

In utero embryonic developmentIEA:Ensembl
ParturitionManual Assertion Based On ExperimentTAS:ProtInc
Positive regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase IIManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:NTNU_SB
Regulation of epidermal cell differentiationManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIBA:GO_Central
Regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase IIManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIBA:GO_Central
Skeletal muscle cell differentiationIEA:Ensembl

Cellular Location

Nucleus