COUP-TF orphan nuclear receptors in development and differentiation.
Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factors (COUP-TFs) are orphan members of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily. They have been shown to negatively regulate the activation function of vitamin D, thyroid hormone, retinoic acid, the retinoid X and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. COUP-TF genes have been cloned from many species and their sequences are exceptionally conserved through evolution. This suggests a critical role for the COUP-TFs in these organisms. Indeed, the Drosophila COUP-TF, seven-up and mouse COUP-TFII are essential for development and differentiation during embryogenesis. Our current understanding of COUP-TF function suggests that they serve vital physiological roles during development despite extensive overlaps of expression. This defines the COUP-TFs as important factors in regulation of development and differentiation in multiple organisms.
Pereira
F A
FA
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Tsai
M J
MJ
Tsai
S Y
SY
D000818:Animals; D051837:COUP Transcription Factor II; D051836:COUP Transcription Factors; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000502:physiology; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*
D051837:COUP Transcription Factor II; D051836:COUP Transcription Factors; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D014157:Transcription Factors; C095569:NR2F2 protein, human