HNF4A
HNF4A (hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha, also known as NR2A1, HNF4, TCF14, MODY and MODY1) is a nuclear transcription factor of the nuclear hormone receptor family. It controls hepatic gene expression and binds DNA as a homodimer. Browse Assay Genie's current range of HNF4A research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
HNF4A is a transcriptional regulator that controls the expression of hepatic genes during the transition of endodermal cells to hepatic progenitor cells. It does this in part by facilitating the recruitment of RNA polymerase II to the promoters of its target genes. It activates transcription of CYP2C38, and it represses CLOCK-BMAL1 transcriptional activity, making it essential for circadian rhythm maintenance and period regulation in liver and colon cells.
The protein encoded by the HNF4A gene is a nuclear transcription factor that binds DNA as a homodimer. It belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor family, NR2 subfamily, and is localised to the nucleus. Among the genes it controls is hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha (HNF1A), itself a transcription factor that regulates several hepatic genes. The gene may also play a role in the development of the liver, kidney and intestines. Alternative splicing produces multiple transcript variants that encode several different isoforms. Mouse and rat orthologs are both named Hnf4a.
The aliases MODY and MODY1 reflect the disease association of this locus: mutations in the gene have been linked to monogenic autosomal dominant non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus type I. Researchers studying HNF4A often use an HNF4A antibody or HNF4A ELISA kit alongside assays for related hepatic transcription factors such as HNF1A and HNF1B.
HNF4A controls hepatic gene expression as endodermal cells become hepatic progenitor cells, and may contribute to liver, kidney and intestinal development.
HNF4A binds DNA as a homodimer and helps recruit RNA polymerase II to target gene promoters, making it a model hepatic transcription factor.
HNF4A represses CLOCK-BMAL1 activity and is needed for circadian rhythm maintenance and period regulation in liver and colon cells.
Mutations in HNF4A are associated with autosomal dominant non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus type I, also called MODY1.
HNF4A is a nuclear transcription factor that controls hepatic gene expression as endodermal cells become hepatic progenitor cells, helping recruit RNA polymerase II to target promoters. It also represses CLOCK-BMAL1 activity and supports circadian rhythm maintenance in liver and colon cells.
The HGNC name is hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha. Aliases and previous symbols include NR2A1, HNF4, TCF14, MODY and MODY1. Alternative splicing of the gene gives multiple transcript variants that encode several different isoforms.
Mutations in HNF4A are associated with monogenic autosomal dominant non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus type I (MODY1). Mouse and rat both have an ortholog named Hnf4a; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other hepatocyte nuclear factors and hepatic transcription factors with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P41235; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.