transcription factor MafA (V-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog A, pancreatic beta-cell-specific transcriptional activator, transcription factor RIPE3b1, MAFA)

Function

• transcription factor that appears to have a key role in regulation of the insulin gene transcription
• specifically binds the insulin enhancer element RIPE3b & activates insulin gene expression
• cooperates synergistically with NEUROD1 & PDX1
• binds DNA as a homodimer (probable)
• interacts with NEUROD1 & PDX1
• phosphorylated on Ser & Thr
• Ser-14 & Ser-65 appear to be the major phosphorylation sites

Structure

• belongs to the bZIP family. Maf subfamily
• contains 1 bZIP domain

Compartment

• nucleus
• detected in nuclei of pancreas islet beta cells (putative)

Expression

up-regulated by glucose

More general terms

• DNA-binding protein
• transcription factor (TF)
• phosphoprotein

Database

• Kegg: http://www.genome.jp/dbget-bin/www_bget?hsa:3896
• UniProt: http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q8NHW3.html