E2F-8 Background Information
E2F-8 is an 867 amino acid nuclear protein that contains two DNA-binding domains and belongs to a large family of transcription factors that includes E2F-1, E2F-2, E2F-3, E2F-4, E2F-5, E2F-6 and E2F-7. Existing as a homodimer or as a heterodimer with E2F-7, E2F-8 functions to bind DNA at the E2 recognition site, 5'-TTTC[CG]CGC-3', thereby inhibiting E2-F-dependent transcription and regulating the expression of genes that are required for cell cycle progression. The gene encoding E2F-8 maps to human chromosome 11, which houses over 1,400 genes and comprises nearly 4% of the human genome. Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome, Jacobsen syndrome, Niemann-Pick disease, hereditary angioedema and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome are associated with defects in genes that maps to chromosome 11.
