MAFF Blocking Peptide

The protein encoded by this gene is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor that lacks a transactivation domain. It is known to bind the US-2 DNA element in the promoter of the oxytocin receptor (OTR) gene and most likely heterodimerizes with other leucine zipper-containing proteins to enhance expression of the OTR gene during term pregnancy. The encoded protein can also form homodimers, and since it lacks a transactivation domain, the homodimer may act as a repressor of transcription. This gene may also be involved in the cellular stress response. Multiple transcript variants encoding two different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jun 2009]

MAFF: Interacts with the upstream promoter region of the oxytocin receptor gene. May be a transcriptional enhancer in the up-regulation of the oxytocin receptor gene at parturition. Since it lacks a putative transactivation domain, it may behave as a transcriptional repressor when it dimerize among himself. May also serve as a transcriptional activator by dimerizing with other (usually larger) basic-zipper proteins and recruiting them to specific DNA-binding sites. May be involved in the cellular stress response. Belongs to the bZIP family. Maf subfamily. 2 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: DNA-binding; Transcription factor

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 22q13.1

Cellular Component: nucleoplasm

Molecular Function: sequence-specific DNA binding; transcription factor activity

Biological Process: transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; in utero embryonic development; regulation of epidermal cell differentiation; parturition; blood coagulation