FOXO4

FOXO4 is a member of the FOXO family of transcription factors, which play a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression. This protein is encoded by the FOXO4 gene in humans.

Function

FOXO4 is involved in a variety of biological processes, including cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, DNA damage repair, and oxidative stress response. It acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting cell death.

Structure

The FOXO4 protein consists of a highly conserved forkhead box domain, which is responsible for binding to specific DNA sequences in the genome. This domain is flanked by two transactivation domains, which are involved in the regulation of gene expression.

Role in Disease

Alterations in the function or expression of FOXO4 have been implicated in several diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In cancer, FOXO4 can act as a tumor suppressor, but its function can be inhibited by oncogenic signaling pathways. In diabetes, FOXO4 can regulate glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. In cardiovascular disease, FOXO4 can regulate the expression of genes involved in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.

Research

Recent research has focused on the potential use of FOXO4 as a therapeutic target in various diseases. For example, a peptide targeting FOXO4 has been shown to selectively kill senescent cells, which could have implications for the treatment of aging and age-related diseases.

File:FOXO4 protein structure.jpg

Structure of the FOXO4 protein. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

See Also

• FOXO1
• FOXO3
• FOXO6
• Forkhead box proteins

References

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