MAF BZIP transcription factor G (MAFG)

MAFG is a small Maf family transcription factor (~160 amino acids, ~18 kDa) featuring a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain for DNA binding and dimerization. It forms homodimers (which act as transcriptional repressors) and heterodimers with CNC proteins such as Nrf2, Nrf1, and Nrf3, and Bach proteins, which can either activate or repress transcription depending on the partner and cellular context. In particular, Nrf2-MAFG heterodimers regulate cellular antioxidant response via binding to the antioxidant response element (ARE), and play a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative stress and in controlling globin gene expression in erythroid cells. MAFG lacks a transactivation domain and is indispensable for the function of CNC family proteins because these cannot bind DNA or regulate transcription alone; thus, MAFG is a core component for the regulation of multiple cellular stress responses, erythropoiesis, and other gene regulatory networks.

Other names

Transcription factor MafGMAFGMGC13090MGC20149V-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog GhMAFBasic leucine zipper transcription factor MafGv-maf avian musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog G

No drugs directly target MAFG. Drugs acting on Nrf2 (such as dimethyl fumarate) induce antioxidant response element (ARE) genes by facilitating Nrf2-MAFG heterodimer binding to DNA and initiating transcription of cytoprotective genes