Entrez 3169 | Ensembl ENSG00000129514 | |
Aliases FOXA1, HNF3A, TCF3A, forkhead box A1 External IDs MGI: 1347472 HomoloGene: 3307 GeneCards: FOXA1 | ||
Forkhead box protein A1 (FOXA1), also known as hepatocyte nuclear factor 3-alpha (HNF-3A), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FOXA1 gene.
Contents
Function
FOXA1 is a member of the forkhead class of DNA-binding proteins. These hepatocyte nuclear factors are transcriptional activators for liver-specific transcripts such as albumin and transthyretin, and they also interact with chromatin as a pioneer factor. Similar family members in mice have roles in the regulation of metabolism and in the differentiation of the pancreas and liver.
Marker in breast cancer
FOXA1 in breast cancer is highly correlated with ERα+, GATA3+, and PR+ protein expression as well as endocrine signaling. FOXA1 acts as a pioneer factor for ERa in ERα+ breast cancer, and its expression might identify ERα+ cancers that undergo rapid reprogramming of ERa signaling that is associated with poor outcomes and treatment resistance. Conversely, in ERα− breast cancer FOXA1 is highly correlated with low-grade morphology and improved disease free survival. FOXA1 is a downstream target of GATA3 in the mammary gland. Expression in ERα− cancers may identify a subset of tumors that is responsive to other endocrine therapies such as androgen receptor antagonist treatment.
Role in prostate cancer
Mutations in this gene have been recurrently seen in instances of prostate cancer.