Neuronal PAS Domain Protein 1 (NPAS1)

NPAS1 is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)-PAS family of transcription factors. Studies of a related mouse gene suggest that it functions in neurons. The exact function of this gene is unclear, but it may play protective or modulatory roles during late embryogenesis and postnatal development.The predicted 590-amino acid human NPAS1 protein shares 86% sequence identity with mouse Npas1. Northern blot analysis of mouse tissues revealed that Npas1 is expressed predominantly in brain. In situ hybridization indicated that the pattern of Npas1 mRNA distribution in mouse brain is broad and complex, and is largely nonoverlapping with that of Npas2.