SOX family transcription factors involved in diverse cellular events during development.
In metazoa, SOX family transcription factors play many diverse roles. In vertebrate, they are well-known regulators of numerous developmental processes. Wide-ranging studies have demonstrated the co-expression of SOX proteins in various developing tissues and that they occur in an overlapping manner and show functional redundancy. In particular, studies focusing on the HMG box of SOX proteins have revealed that the HMG box regulates DNA-binding properties, and mediates both the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of SOX proteins and their physical interactions with partner proteins. Posttranslational modifications are further implicated in the regulation of the transcriptional activities of SOX proteins. In this review, we discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the SOX-partner factor interactions and the functional modes of SOX-partner complexes during development. We particularly emphasize the representative roles of the SOX group proteins in major tissues during developmental and physiological processes.
The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Zhen-Yu
ZY
She
The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China. Electronic address: wxyang@spermlab.org.
Wan-Xi
WX
Yang
D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; D000818:Animals; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D011485:Protein Binding; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D055747:SOX Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*
D055747:SOX Transcription Factors
Developmental function; HMG box; Nucleocytoplasmic shuttling; Posttranslational modification; SOX-partner complex; Sox gene