FOXA2
FOXA2 (forkhead box A2, also known as HNF3B or hepatocyte nuclear factor 3-beta) is a forkhead-class transcription factor that helps establish tissue-specific gene expression. It acts in embryonic development and in regulating gene expression in differentiated tissues. Browse Assay Genie's current range of FOXA2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
FOXA2 is a transcription factor involved in embryonic development, in the establishment of tissue-specific gene expression and in gene regulation in differentiated tissues. It is thought to act as a 'pioneer' factor: through interactions with nucleosomal core histones it can open compacted chromatin for other proteins, replacing linker histones at target enhancer and/or promoter sites. It binds DNA with the consensus sequence 5'-[AC]A[AT]T[AG]TT[GT][AG][CT]T[CT]-3'.
The FOXA2 gene encodes a member of the forkhead class of DNA-binding proteins, listed by HGNC in the forkhead boxes gene group. The protein is found in the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified. The mouse and rat orthologs are both named Foxa2, and similar family members in mice have roles in the regulation of metabolism and in pancreas and liver differentiation.
The name HNF3B reflects its original description as a hepatocyte nuclear factor, a transcriptional activator for liver genes such as AFP, albumin, tyrosine aminotransferase and PEPCK, and for transthyretin. In development, FOXA2 is required for notochord formation and contributes to endoderm-derived organs including the liver, pancreas and lungs, where FOXA1 and FOXA2 appear to have partly redundant roles. It also regulates genes important for glucose sensing in pancreatic beta-cells and for glucose homeostasis, and is involved in fat metabolism. It binds the fibrinogen beta promoter and takes part in IL-6-induced fibrinogen beta transcriptional activation. The gene has been linked to sporadic cases of maturity-onset diabetes of the young.
FOXA2 is thought to open compacted chromatin through nucleosomal histone interactions, making it a model for studying how enhancers and promoters become accessible.
FOXA2 is required for notochord formation and contributes to the development of endoderm-derived organs such as the liver, pancreas and lungs.
FOXA2 regulates glucose-sensing genes in pancreatic beta-cells, and the gene has been linked to sporadic maturity-onset diabetes of the young.
FOXA2 activates liver genes such as albumin and PEPCK, contributes to fat metabolism regulation and supports IL-6-induced fibrinogen beta transcription.
FOXA2 is a transcription factor that regulates tissue-specific gene expression during embryonic development and in differentiated tissues. It is thought to act as a pioneer factor that opens compacted chromatin, and it is involved in glucose homeostasis and fat metabolism.
FOXA2 is also known as HNF3B, and its UniProt protein name is hepatocyte nuclear factor 3-beta. The previous HGNC name was hepatocyte nuclear factor 3, beta. Transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified for the gene.
Mouse and rat both carry a Foxa2 ortholog, and similar family members in mice regulate metabolism and pancreas and liver differentiation. In humans the gene has been linked to sporadic cases of maturity-onset diabetes of the young. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
FOXA1, the partly redundant forkhead family member, and other targets in transcriptional regulation and metabolism.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9Y261; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.