Nuclear factor 1 X-type (NFIX)

Nuclear factor 1 X-type (NFIX) is a DNA-binding transcription factor encoded by the NFIX gene in humans. It recognizes the palindromic sequence 5'-TTGGCNNNNNGCCAA-3' in DNA and plays key roles in regulating embryonic brain development, muscle regeneration, and the differentiation of neural and glial cells[1][4][5]. NFIX is involved in the temporal regulation of neural progenitor commitment, affecting memory and neural differentiation in adults[1]. It directly regulates expression of genes such as glial fibrillary acidic protein and YKL-40 in astrocytes, interacts with proteins such as SKI and STAT3, and modulates the expression of Ezrin—especially in the context of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), where it enhances tumor cell migration and progression[1][2]. NFIX is implicated in a spectrum of cancers, with a tumor-promoting role in glioblastoma (where it may be a therapeutic target) but has context-dependent activity in other malignancies[2][3]. Deficiency or malfunction of NFIX is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Sotos syndrome 2, as well as defects in muscle regeneration and chondrogenesis[1][2][6].

Other names

Nuclear factor I XNF1-XNuclear factor 1/XCTFNF-I/XNFI-XNF1ACCAAT-box-binding transcription factorTGGCA-binding proteinMALNSMRSHSSSOTOS2

Inhibition of NFIX via siRNA reduces tumor cell migration and proliferation (in glioblastoma), likely by downregulation of downstream gene expression such as Ezrin[2]