转录因子Rex-1：结构、表达谱和干性(stemness)调控功能

Transcription factor Rex-1:structure,expression profile and stemness regulatory function

Rex-1(reduced expression 1)又称Zfp-42(zinc finger protein 42),是一种酸性锌指结构蛋白,在胚胎干细胞和部分成体干细胞中高表达,并随维甲酸(retinoid acid,RA)诱导干细胞分化而迅速下调。该分子的结构特点提示其具有转录调控的功能,对决定干细胞的状态和发育阶段发挥重要作用。

Rex-1 （reduced expression 1）, also known as Zfp-42（zinc finger protein 42）, encodes a protein containing four repeats of the zinc finger motif and an acidic domain. These structural features imply a possible regulatory function for Rex-1. Expression of Rex-1 is high in embryonic and several adult stem cells, and rapidly reduced after RA-induced differentiation. The unique expression profile of Rex-1 suggests that it may play an important role in deciding the status and fate of stem cells.