KLF4 cDNA Clone – Kruppel-Like Factor 4 (Gut) (Human)

This gene encodes a protein that belongs to the Kruppel family of transcription factors. The encoded zinc finger protein is required for normal development of the barrier function of skin. The encoded protein is thought to control the G1-to-S transition of the cell cycle following DNA damage by mediating the tumor suppressor gene p53. Mice lacking this gene have a normal appearance but lose weight rapidly, and die shortly after birth due to fluid evaporation resulting from compromised epidermal barrier function. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2015]

KLF4: Transcription factor; can act both as activator and as repressor. Binds the 5'-CACCC-3' core sequence. Binds to the promoter region of its own gene and can activate its own transcription. Regulates the expression of key transcription factors during embryonic development. Plays an important role in maintaining embryonic stem cells, and in preventing their differentiation. Required for establishing the barrier function of the skin and for postnatal maturation and maintenance of the ocular surface. Involved in the differentiation of epithelial cells and may also function in skeletal and kidney development. Contributes to the down-regulation of p53/TP53 transcription. Interacts with POU5F1/OCT4 and SOX2. Interacts with MUC1 (via the C-terminal domain). Belongs to the krueppel C2H2-type zinc-finger protein family. 3 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: C2H2-type zinc finger protein; Transcription factor; DNA-binding

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 9q31

Cellular Component: nuclear chromatin; nucleoplasm

Molecular Function: protein binding

Biological Process: fat cell differentiation; inhibition of NF-kappaB transcription factor; mesodermal cell fate determination; negative regulation of caspase activity; negative regulation of cell proliferation; negative regulation of heterotypic cell-cell adhesion; negative regulation of inflammatory response; negative regulation of interleukin-8 biosynthetic process; negative regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; negative regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; positive regulation of cellular protein metabolic process; positive regulation of hemoglobin biosynthetic process; positive regulation of nitric oxide biosynthetic process; positive regulation of protein metabolic process; positive regulation of telomerase activity; positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; positive regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; post-embryonic hemopoiesis; regulation of cell differentiation; somatic stem cell maintenance; stem cell maintenance; transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter