1: Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Jul 16;320(1):62-9. 

MafT, a new member of the small Maf protein family in zebrafish.

Takagi Y, Kobayashi M, Li L, Suzuki T, Nishikawa K, Yamamoto M.

ERATO-JST, Center for TARA and Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University
of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan.

Small Maf proteins play critical roles on morphogenesis and homeostasis through
associating with CNC proteins. To date, three small Maf proteins, MafF, MafG,
and MafK, have been reported in vertebrates, which share redundant functions. In
this study, we tried to identify and characterize small Maf proteins in
zebrafish to elucidate their conservation and diversity in the fish kingdom. We
identified homolog genes of MafG and MafK but not MafF in zebrafish, indicating
the former two are conserved among vertebrates. In addition, a novel type of
small Maf protein MafT was identified. MafT protein bound MARE sequence as a
homodimer or heterodimers with zebrafish Nrf2 or p45 Nfe2. Co-overexpression of
MafT and Nrf2 synergistically activated MARE-mediated gene expression in
zebrafish embryos. These results indicated that MafT is a new member of small
Maf proteins and involved in the Nrf2-dependent gene regulation in cellular
defense system.

PMID: 15207702 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


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