Activation of connective tissue growth factor gene by the c-Maf and Lc-Maf transcription factors

Requirement for the c-Maf transcription factor in crystallin gene regulation and lens development.

The vertebrate lens is a tissue composed of terminally differentiated fiber cells and anterior lens epithelial cells. The abundant, preferential expression of the soluble proteins called crystallins creates a transparent, refractive index gradient in the lens. Several transcription factors such as Pax6, Sox1, and L-Maf have been shown to regulate lens development. Here we show that mice lacking...

The protooncogene c-Maf is an essential transcription factor for IL-10 gene expression in macrophages.

IL-10 is an important immunoregulatory factor. However, our understanding of IL-10 gene regulation remains very limited. In this study, following up on our previous novel finding that the protooncogene c-Maf of the basic leucine zipper family of transcription factors is expressed in monocytes and macrophages, we investigate the role of c-Maf in the transcriptional regulation of IL-10 and the un...

Expression in Macrophages Transcription Factor for IL-10 Gene The Protooncogene c-Maf Is an Essential

c-Maf rules the island.

The erythroblastic island was ultrastructurally identified as a common organizational unit of bone marrow more than 50 years ago.2 Erythroblastic islands are composed of erythroblasts, at various stages of maturation, and a central macrophage. The central macrophage supports erythroid cell survival and proliferation through intercellular signaling, and facilitates enucleation.3 Along this line,...

The transcription factor c-Maf controls touch receptor development and function.

The sense of touch relies on detection of mechanical stimuli by specialized mechanosensory neurons. The scarcity of molecular data has made it difficult to analyze development of mechanoreceptors and to define the basis of their diversity and function. We show that the transcription factor c-Maf/c-MAF is crucial for mechanosensory function in mice and humans. The development and function of sev...