KLF4
Sign in to saveAlso known as EZF, GKLF, Kruppel-like factor 4 (gut), Kruppel like factor 4
Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4; gut-enriched Krüppel-like factor or GKLF) is a member of the KLF family of zinc finger transcription factors, which belongs to the relatively large family of SP1-like transcription factors. KLF4 is involved in the regulation of proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and somatic cell reprogramming. Evidence also suggests that KLF4 is a tumor suppressor in certain cancers, including colorectal cancer. It has three Cys2His2-zinc fingers at its carboxyl terminus that are closely related to another KLF, KLF2. It has two nuclear localization sequences that signals it
Gene data
KLF4- Name
- KLF transcription factor 4
- Type
- protein-coding
- Aliases
- EZF, GKLF
This gene encodes a protein that belongs to the Kruppel family of transcription factors. The encoded zinc finger protein is required for normal development of the barrier function of skin. The encoded protein is thought to control the G1-to-S transition of the cell cycle following DNA damage by mediating the tumor suppressor gene p53. Mice lacking this gene have a normal appearance but lose weight rapidly, and die shortly after birth due to fluid evaporation resulting from compromised epidermal barrier function. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2015].
via MyGene.info
Gene · Ensembl
KLF transcription factor 4
- Symbol
- KLF4
- Biotype
- Protein coding
- Organism
- Homo sapiens
- Location
- 9:107,484,454-107,490,482
- Strand
- Reverse (−)
- Assembly
- GRCh38
via Ensembl · EMBL-EBI
Research
5,419 papers- The deubiquitinase USP10 regulates KLF4 stability and suppresses lung tumorigenesis.Cell death and differentiation · 2020
- KLF4 inhibition promotes the expansion of keratinocyte precursors from adult human skin and of embryonic-stem-cell-derived keratinocytes.Nature biomedical engineering · 2019
- KLF4: a multifunctional nexus connecting tumor progression and immune regulation.Frontiers in immunology · 2025
- Prognostic significance of KLF4 in solid tumours: an updated meta-analysis.BMC cancer · 2022
- The KLF4/Galectin-3 cascade is a key determinant of tubular cell death and acute kidney injury.International journal of biological sciences · 2025
via PubMed
Wikidata facts
- Image
- KLF4 prot.png
Show 5 more facts
- HomoloGene ID
- 3123
- exact match
- identifiers.org/ncbigene/9314
- genomic end
- 110252763
- genomic start
- 110247133
- cytogenetic location
- 9q31.2
via Wikidata · CC0
~10 min read
Article
9 sectionsContents
- Interactions
- Function
- Roles in diseases
- Importance in stem cells
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4; gut-enriched Krüppel-like factor or GKLF) is a member of the KLF family of zinc finger transcription factors, which belongs to the relatively large family of SP1-like transcription factors. KLF4 is involved in the regulation of proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and somatic cell reprogramming. Evidence also suggests that KLF4 is a tumor suppressor in certain cancers, including colorectal cancer. It has three Cys2His2-zinc fingers at its carboxyl terminus that are closely related to another KLF, KLF2. It has two nuclear localization sequences that signals it to localize to the nucleus. In embryonic stem cells (ESCs), KLF4 has been demonstrated to be a good indicator of stem-like capacity. It is suggested that the same is true in mesenchymal stem cells.
In humans, the protein is 513 amino acids, with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 55kDa, and is encoded by the KLF4 gene. The KLF4 gene is conserved in chimpanzee, rhesus monkey, dog, cow, mouse, rat, chicken, zebrafish, and frog. KLF4 was first identified in 1996.