UTF1

Also known as undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor 1

Undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor 1 is a protein in humans that is encoded by the UTF1 gene. UTF1, first reported in 1998, is expressed in pluripotent cells including embryonic stem cells and embryonic carcinoma cells. Its expression is rapidly reduced upon differentiation. UTF1 protein is localized to the cell nucleus, where it functions to regulate the pluripotent chromatin state and buffer mRNA levels by promoting degradation of mRNA.

Gene data

UTF1

Name: undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor 1
Type: protein-coding
Position: 133,230,217–133,231,558 (+)
Ensembl: ENSG00000171794
RefSeq RNA: NM_003577.3
RefSeq protein: NP_003568.2

The protein encoded by this gene is a leucine zipper-containing transcriptional coactivator that may link the upstream activator ATF2 with the basal transcription complex. The encoded protein is closely associated with chromatin and is required for the proper differentiation of embryonic carcinoma and embryonic stem cells. Found nearly exclusively in pluripotent cells, this protein can also serve as a transcriptional repressor. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2015].

Gene Ontology

Biological process

regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II male gonad development positive regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II

Article

2 sections

Contents

References
Further reading

Aberrant expression of UTF1 has also been reported in cervical cancer cells, where the UTF1 gene promoter loses methylation and becomes abnormally expressed compared to normal cervical cells.