Forkhead Box Protein P4 (FOXP4)

FOXP4 belongs to subfamily P of the forkhead box (FOX) transcription factor family. The deduced protein shares structural features with other forkhead box proteins, including a central zinc finger domain and a C-terminal forkhead domain separated by a coiled-coil region. Northern blot analysis of adult mouse tissues detected several Foxp4 transcripts and variable levels of expression in most tissues examined. In situ hybridization of developing mouse embryos revealed Foxp4 expression around developing airway epithelium by embryonic day 13.5. Expression in the lung was reduced by day 15.5. Human FOXP4 expression was significantly reduced in 8 of 14 kidney tumors and in a larynx carcinoma compared with normal tissues, but it was not clearly reduced in other tumors.