HMGB3
HMGB3 (high mobility group box 3, also known as HMG2A and HMG4) is a multifunctional member of the HMGB family that associates with chromatin and binds DNA. It contributes to gene regulation, innate immune sensing of nucleic acids and the control of stem cell fate. Browse Assay Genie's current range of HMGB3 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
HMGB3 is a multifunctional protein with different roles in different cellular compartments, and it may act in a redox-sensitive manner. In the nucleus it associates with chromatin and binds DNA, showing a preference for non-canonical structures such as single-stranded DNA. It can bend DNA and increase DNA flexibility by looping, which provides a mechanism to promote activities at various gene promoters. In the cytoplasm it is proposed to take part in the innate immune response to nucleic acids, acting as a promiscuous, immunogenic DNA/RNA sensor.
Functionally, HMGB3 negatively regulates B-cell and myeloid cell differentiation. In haematopoietic stem cells it may regulate the balance between self-renewal and differentiation, and it is involved in the negative regulation of canonical Wnt signalling. This fits the NCBI Gene summary, which describes the encoded protein as important for maintaining stem cell populations and notes that it may be aberrantly expressed in tumour cells.
The HMGB3 gene encodes a member of a family of proteins that contain one or more high mobility group DNA-binding motifs. HGNC places it in the canonical high mobility group, and UniProt assigns it to the HMGB family alongside HMGB1, HMGB2 and HMGB4. Earlier names include high-mobility group (nonhistone chromosomal) protein 4. A mutation in the gene has been associated with microphthalmia, syndromic 13. The genome contains numerous HMGB3 pseudogenes on multiple chromosomes, and alternative splicing produces multiple transcript variants. The mouse ortholog is Hmgb3.
HMGB3 helps maintain stem cell populations and may balance self-renewal against differentiation in haematopoietic stem cells.
HMGB3 negatively regulates B-cell and myeloid cell differentiation, making it relevant to studies of lineage commitment.
HMGB3 is proposed to act as a cytoplasmic DNA/RNA sensor in the innate immune response to nucleic acids.
HMGB3 binds and bends DNA to influence promoter activity and negatively regulates canonical Wnt signalling.
HMGB3 associates with chromatin and binds DNA, preferring non-canonical structures such as single-stranded DNA. It can bend DNA and promote looping at gene promoters. It is also proposed to sense nucleic acids in the cytoplasm, regulate blood cell differentiation and negatively regulate canonical Wnt signalling.
HMGB3 is also called HMG2A, HMG4 and MGC90319. Its previous names include high-mobility group (nonhistone chromosomal) protein 4, and UniProt lists it as high mobility group protein B3. NCBI notes that alternative splicing gives multiple transcript variants of the gene.
A mutation in the HMGB3 gene has been associated with microphthalmia, syndromic 13, and the protein may be aberrantly expressed in tumour cells. Mouse has an ortholog, Hmgb3. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other members of the HMGB family of DNA-binding proteins with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt O15347; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.