The protein encoded by this gene is one subunit of a trimeric complex, forming a highly conserved transcription factor that binds with high specificity to CCAAT motifs in the promoter regions in a variety of genes. This gene product, subunit C, forms a tight dimer with the B subunit (NFYB), a prerequisite for subunit A (NFYA) association. The resulting trimer binds to DNA with high specificity and affinity. Subunits B and C each contain a histone-like motif. Observation of the histone nature of these subunits is supported by two types of evidence; protein sequence alignments and experiments with mutants. Additional regulation, preliminarily supported by the EST database, may be represented by alternative splicing in this subunit.[3]
Two microRNAs; miR-30c and miR-30e are located within introns of the nfyc gene. These microRNAs are actively transcribed in human insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreatic islets that also show high expression of nfyc and CDH1 genes. The expression of these intronic microRNAs is essential for maintaining the differentiated phenotype of human islet beta cells. Inhibition of miR-30 family microRNAs induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition of human pancreatic islet cells.[4]
↑Sinha S, Maity SN, Seldin MF, de Crombrugghe B (Feb 1997). "Chromosomal assignment and tissue expression of CBF-C/NFY-C, the third subunit of the mammalian CCAAT-binding factor". Genomics. 37 (2): 260–3. doi:10.1006/geno.1996.0555. PMID8921405.
↑Bellorini M, Zemzoumi K, Farina A, Berthelsen J, Piaggio G, Mantovani R (Aug 1997). "Cloning and expression of human NF-YC". Gene. 193 (1): 119–25. doi:10.1016/S0378-1119(97)00109-1. PMID9249075.
↑Joglekar MV, Patil D, Joglekar VM, Rao GV, Reddy DN, Mitnala S, Shouche Y, Hardikar AA (September–October 2009). "The miR-30 family microRNAs confer epithelial phenotype to human pancreatic cells". Islets. 1 (2): 137–147. doi:10.4161/isl.1.2.9578. PMID21099261.
↑Taira T, Sawai M, Ikeda M, Tamai K, Iguchi-Ariga SM, Ariga H (August 1999). "Cell cycle-dependent switch of up-and down-regulation of human hsp70 gene expression by interaction between c-Myc and CBF/NF-Y". J. Biol. Chem. 274 (34): 24270–9. doi:10.1074/jbc.274.34.24270. PMID10446203.
Nakshatri H, Bhat-Nakshatri P, Currie RA (1997). "Subunit association and DNA binding activity of the heterotrimeric transcription factor NF-Y is regulated by cellular redox". J. Biol. Chem. 271 (46): 28784–91. doi:10.1074/jbc.271.46.28784. PMID8910521.
Dmitrenko V, Garifulin O, Kavsan V (1997). "Isolation and sequence analysis of the cDNA encoding subunit C of human CCAAT-binding transcription factor". Gene. 197 (1–2): 161–3. doi:10.1016/S0378-1119(97)00255-2. PMID9332362.
Currie RA (1998). "Functional interaction between the DNA binding subunit trimerization domain of NF-Y and the high mobility group protein HMG-I(Y)". J. Biol. Chem. 272 (49): 30880–8. doi:10.1074/jbc.272.49.30880. PMID9388234.
Taira T, Sawai M, Ikeda M, Tamai K, Iguchi-Ariga SM, Ariga H (1999). "Cell cycle-dependent switch of up-and down-regulation of human hsp70 gene expression by interaction between c-Myc and CBF/NF-Y". J. Biol. Chem. 274 (34): 24270–9. doi:10.1074/jbc.274.34.24270. PMID10446203.
Izumi H, Molander C, Penn LZ, Ishisaki A, Kohno K, Funa K (2001). "Mechanism for the transcriptional repression by c-Myc on PDGF beta-receptor". J. Cell Sci. 114 (Pt 8): 1533–44. PMID11282029.
Romier C, Cocchiarella F, Mantovani R, Moras D (2003). "The NF-YB/NF-YC structure gives insight into DNA binding and transcription regulation by CCAAT factor NF-Y". J. Biol. Chem. 278 (2): 1336–45. doi:10.1074/jbc.M209635200. PMID12401788.
Salsi V, Caretti G, Wasner M, Reinhard W, Haugwitz U, Engeland K, Mantovani R (2003). "Interactions between p300 and multiple NF-Y trimers govern cyclin B2 promoter function". J. Biol. Chem. 278 (9): 6642–50. doi:10.1074/jbc.M210065200. PMID12482752.
Hirose T, Sowa Y, Takahashi S, Saito S, Yasuda C, Shindo N, Furuichi K, Sakai T (2003). "p53-independent induction of Gadd45 by histone deacetylase inhibitor: coordinate regulation by transcription factors Oct-1 and NF-Y". Oncogene. 22 (49): 7762–73. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1207091. PMID14586402.