Transcription Factor Binding To IGHM Enhancer 3 (TFE3)

TEF3 activates transcription through binding to the muE3 motif of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain enhancer. The TFEC protein forms heterodimers with the TEF3 protein and inhibits TFE3-dependent transcription activation. The TEF3 protein interacts with transcription regulators such as E2F3, SMAD3, and LEF-1, and is involved in TGF-beta-induced transcription, playing important roles in cell growth, proliferation, and osteoclast and macrophage differentiation. The TFE3 protein also activates hepatic IRS-2 gene, and induces hexokinase II (HK2) and insulin-induced gene 1 (INSIG1); it participates in insulin signaling and could be a therapeutic target for diabetes. This gene is also involved in chromosomal translocations, resulting in different fusion gene products in papillary renal cell carcinomas and alveolar soft part sarcomas.