Species Human Entrez 30009 | Human Mouse Ensembl ENSG00000073861 | |
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Aliases TBX21, T-PET, T-bet, TBET, TBLYM, T-box 21 External IDs MGI: 1888984 HomoloGene: 8353 GeneCards: TBX21 | ||
T-box transcription factor TBX21 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TBX21 gene.
Contents
Function
This gene is a member of a phylogenetically conserved family of genes that share a common DNA-binding domain, the T-box. T-box genes encode transcription factors involved in the regulation of developmental processes. This gene is the human ortholog of mouse Tbx21/Tbet gene. Studies in mouse show that Tbx21 protein is a Th1 cell-specific transcription factor that controls the expression of the hallmark Th1 cytokine, interferon-gamma (IFNG). Expression of the human ortholog also correlates with IFNG expression in Th1 and natural killer cells, suggesting a role for this gene in initiating Th1 lineage development from naive Th precursor cells.
Asthma
The transcription factor encoded by TBX21 is T-bet, which regulates the development of naive T lymphocytes. Asthma is a disease of chronic inflammation, and it is known that transgenic mice born without TBX21 spontaneously develop abnormal lung function consistent with asthma. It is thought that TBX21, therefore, may play a role in the development of asthma in humans as well.