Serum response factor, also known as SRF, is a
transcription factor protein.
Function
Serum response factor is a member of the
MADS (MCM1, Agamous, Deficiens, and SRF) box superfamily of transcription factors.
This protein binds to the serum response element (SRE) in the
promoter region of target genes. This protein regulates the activity of many
immediate early genes, for example
c-fos
Protein c-Fos is a proto-oncogene that is the human homolog of the retroviral oncogene v-fos. It is encoded in humans by the ''FOS'' gene. It was first discovered in rat fibroblasts as the transforming gene of the FBJ MSV (Finkel–Biskis–Jin ...
, and thereby participates in
cell cycle
The cell cycle, or cell-division cycle, is the series of events that take place in a cell that cause it to divide into two daughter cells. These events include the duplication of its DNA ( DNA replication) and some of its organelles, and sub ...
regulation,
apoptosis, cell growth, and
cell differentiation
Cellular differentiation is the process in which a stem cell alters from one type to a differentiated one. Usually, the cell changes to a more specialized type. Differentiation happens multiple times during the development of a multicellula ...
. This gene is the downstream target of many pathways; for example, the
mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK) that acts through the ternary complex factors (TCFs).
SRF is important during the development of the embryo, as it has been linked to the formation of
mesoderm.
In the fully developed mammal, SRF is crucial for the growth of skeletal muscle.
Interaction of SRF with other proteins, such as
steroid hormone receptors, may contribute to regulation of muscle growth by
steroid
A steroid is a biologically active organic compound with four rings arranged in a specific molecular configuration. Steroids have two principal biological functions: as important components of cell membranes that alter membrane fluidity; and ...
s.
Interaction of SRF with other proteins such as myocardin or Elk-1 may enhance or suppress expression of genes important for growth of vascular smooth muscle.
Clinical significance
Lack of skin SRF is associated with
psoriasis and other skin diseases.
Interactions
Serum response factor has been shown to
interact with:
*
ASCC3
Activating signal cointegrator 1 complex subunit 3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''ASCC3'' gene.
Interactions
ASCC3 has been shown to interact with RELA, C-jun and Serum response factor
Serum response factor, also known as SR ...
,
*
ATF6,
*
CEBPB,
*
CREB-binding protein,
*
ELK4
ETS domain-containing protein Elk-4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''ELK4'' gene.
Function
This gene is a member of the Ets family of transcription factors and of the ternary complex factor (TCF) subfamily. Proteins of the TCF ...
,
[ and
* Src,]
See also
* MKL1
* Nuclear actin functions
References
Further reading
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External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Serum Response Factor
Transcription factors