Nuclear factor 1 X-type is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''NFIX''
gene
In biology, the word gene has two meanings. The Mendelian gene is a basic unit of heredity. The molecular gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA. There are two types of molecular genes: protei ...
.
NFI-X3, a
splice variant
Alternative splicing, alternative RNA splicing, or differential splicing, is an alternative splicing process during gene expression that allows a single gene to produce different splice variants. For example, some exons of a gene may be included ...
of NFIX, regulates
Glial fibrillary acidic protein
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a protein that is encoded by the ''GFAP'' gene in humans. It is a type III intermediate filament (IF) protein that is expressed by numerous cell types of the central nervous system (CNS), including astro ...
and
YKL-40 in
astrocyte
Astrocytes (from Ancient Greek , , "star" and , , "cavity", "cell"), also known collectively as astroglia, are characteristic star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord. They perform many functions, including biochemical control of en ...
s.
Interactions
Nfix has been shown to
interact with
SKI protein
The SKI protein is a nuclear Oncogene#Proto-oncogene, proto-oncogene that is associated with tumors at high cellular concentrations. SKI has been shown to interfere with normal cellular functioning by both directly impeding gene expression, expr ...
and it is also known to interact with
AP-1.
NFI-X3 has been shown to interact with
STAT3
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor which in humans is encoded by the ''STAT3'' gene. It is a member of the STAT protein family.
Function
STAT3 is a member of the STAT protein family. In respon ...
.
In embryonic cells, Nfix has been shown to regulate
intermediate progenitor cell (IPC) generation by promoting the transcription of the protein inscuteable (INSC). INSC regulates spindle orientation to facilitate the division of
radial glia cells into IPC's. Nfix is thought to be necessary for the commitment of glia progeny into the intermediate progenitors. Mutations may cause overproduction of radial glia, impaired and improperly timed IPC development, and underproduction of neurons.
In adult development, the timing of neural differentiation is regulated by Nfix to promote ongoing growth of the
hippocampus
The hippocampus (: hippocampi; via Latin from Ancient Greek, Greek , 'seahorse'), also hippocampus proper, is a major component of the brain of humans and many other vertebrates. In the human brain the hippocampus, the dentate gyrus, and the ...
and proper memory function. Nfix may suppress
oligodendrocyte
Oligodendrocytes (), also known as oligodendroglia, are a type of neuroglia whose main function is to provide the myelin sheath to neuronal axons in the central nervous system (CNS). Myelination gives metabolic support to, and insulates the axons ...
expression so cells remain committed to neuron development within the
dentate gyrus
The dentate gyrus (DG) is one of the subfields of the hippocampus, in the hippocampal formation. The hippocampal formation is located in the temporal lobe of the brain, and includes the hippocampus (including CA1 to CA4) subfields, and other su ...
. Intermediate progenitor cells can divide to produce
neuroblasts. Neurons produced by Nfix null IPC's do not mature, usually die, and can contribute to cognitive impairments.
Nfix interacts with
myostatin and regulates temporal progression of muscle regeneration through modulation of myostatin expression. Nfix also inhibits the slow-twitch muscle phenotype.
References
Further reading
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External links
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Transcription factors
{{gene-19-stub