TOX3

TOX high mobility group box family member 3, also known as TOX3, is a human gene.

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of a subfamily of transcription factors that also includes TOX, TOX2, and TOX4 that share almost identical HMG-box DNA-binding domains which function to modify chromatin structure by unwinding and bending DNA. The protein TOX3 has a glutamine-rich C-terminus due to CAG repeats. TOX3 is located on human chromosome band 16q12.1. The gene consists of seven exons and is highly expressed in both the brain and luminal epithelial breast tissue. Mutations in the gene are associated with increased susceptibility to breast cancer. TOX3 plays a role in regulating calcium-dependent transcription and interacts with cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CREB) and CREB-binding protein (CBP). It also increases transcription via interaction with CITED1, a transcription co-regulator that increases transcription factor activity.