SOX12 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOX12gene.[1][2] Sox12 belongs to the SoxC group of Sox family of transcription factors, together with Sox4 and Sox11. Sox12-null knockout mice appear normal, unlike Sox4 or Sox11 knockout mice. This probably comes from functional redundancy with Sox4 and Sox11.[3] Sox12 is a weaker activator than both Sox4 and Sox11 in mouse.[4]
Members of the SOX family of transcription factors are characterized by the presence of a DNA-binding high mobility group (HMG) domain, homologous to the HMG box of sex-determining region Y (SRY). Forming a subgroup of the HMG domain superfamily, SOX proteins have been implicated in cell fate decisions in a diverse range of developmental processes. SOX transcription factors have diverse tissue-specific expression patterns during early development and have been proposed to act as target-specific transcription factors and/or as chromatin structure regulatory elements. The protein encoded by this gene was identified as a SOX family member based on conserved domains and its expression in various tissues suggests a role in both differentiation and maintenance of several cell types.[2]
References
↑Jay P, Sahly I, Goze C, Taviaux S, Poulat F, Couly G, Abitbol M, Berta P (Aug 1997). "SOX22 is a new member of the SOX gene family, mainly expressed in human nervous tissue". Hum Mol Genet. 6 (7): 1069–77. doi:10.1093/hmg/6.7.1069. PMID9215677.
Bowles J, Schepers G, Koopman P (2001). "Phylogeny of the SOX family of developmental transcription factors based on sequence and structural indicators". Dev. Biol. 227 (2): 239–55. doi:10.1006/dbio.2000.9883. PMID11071752.
Weiss MA (2001). "Floppy SOX: mutual induced fit in hmg (high-mobility group) box-DNA recognition". Mol. Endocrinol. 15 (3): 353–62. doi:10.1210/me.15.3.353. PMID11222737.
