FOXA1

This gene encodes a member of the forkhead class of DNA-binding proteins. These hepatocyte nuclear factors are transcriptional activators for liver-specific transcripts such as albumin and transthyretin, and they also interact with chromatin. Similar family members in mice have roles in the regulation of metabolism and in the differentiation of the pancreas and liver.

Full Name

Forkhead Box A1

Function

Transcription factor that is involved in embryonic development, establishment of tissue-specific gene expression and regulation of gene expression in differentiated tissues. Is thought to act as a 'pioneer' factor opening the compacted chromatin for other proteins through interactions with nucleosomal core histones and thereby replacing linker histones at target enhancer and/or promoter sites. Binds DNA with the consensus sequence 5'-[AC]A[AT]T[AG]TT[GT][AG][CT]T[CT]-3' (By similarity).

Proposed to play a role in translating the epigenetic signatures into cell type-specific enhancer-driven transcriptional programs. Its differential recruitment to chromatin is dependent on distribution of histone H3 methylated at 'Lys-5' (H3K4me2) in estrogen-regulated genes. Involved in the development of multiple endoderm-derived organ systems such as liver, pancreas, lung and prostate; FOXA1 and FOXA2 seem to have at least in part redundant roles (By similarity).

Modulates the transcriptional activity of nuclear hormone receptors. Is involved in ESR1-mediated transcription; required for ESR1 binding to the NKX2-1 promoter in breast cancer cells; binds to the RPRM promoter and is required for the estrogen-induced repression of RPRM. Involved in regulation of apoptosis by inhibiting the expression of BCL2. Involved in cell cycle regulation by activating expression of CDKN1B, alone or in conjunction with BRCA1. Originally described as a transcription activator for a number of liver genes such as AFP, albumin, tyrosine aminotransferase, PEPCK, etc. Interacts with the cis-acting regulatory regions of these genes. Involved in glucose homeostasis.

Biological Process

Alveolar secondary septum development Source: Ensembl
Anatomical structure formation involved in morphogenesis Source: Ensembl
Anatomical structure morphogenesis Source: GO_Central
Cell differentiation Source: GO_Central
Chromatin remodeling Source: UniProtKB
Dopaminergic neuron differentiation Source: ParkinsonsUK-UCL
Dorsal/ventral neural tube patterning Source: Ensembl
Epithelial cell maturation involved in prostate gland development Source: Ensembl
Epithelial-mesenchymal signaling involved in prostate gland development Source: Ensembl
Epithelial tube branching involved in lung morphogenesis Source: Ensembl
Glucose homeostasis Source: Ensembl
Hormone metabolic process Source: Ensembl
Lung epithelial cell differentiation Source: Ensembl
Negative regulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition Source: BHF-UCL
Negative regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II Source: Ensembl
Neuron fate specification Source: Ensembl
Notch signaling pathway Source: Ensembl
Positive regulation of apoptotic process Source: UniProtKB
Positive regulation of cell-cell adhesion mediated by cadherin Source: BHF-UCL
Positive regulation of DNA-binding transcription factor activity Source: UniProtKB
Positive regulation of intracellular estrogen receptor signaling pathway Source: UniProtKB
Positive regulation of mitotic cell cycle Source: UniProtKB
Positive regulation of neuron differentiation Source: Ensembl
Positive regulation of smoothened signaling pathway Source: Ensembl
Positive regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II Source: UniProtKB
Prostate gland epithelium morphogenesis Source: Ensembl
Prostate gland stromal morphogenesis Source: Ensembl
Regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II Source: GO_Central
Respiratory basal cell differentiation Source: Ensembl
Response to estradiol Source: UniProtKB
Secretory columnal luminar epithelial cell differentiation involved in prostate glandular acinus development Source: Ensembl

Cellular Location

Nucleus