FOXP3 [SEP] found in taxon
attack the body's own tissues.
While the precise control mechanism has not yet been established, FOX proteins belong to the forkhead/winged-helix family of transcriptional regulators and are presumed to exert control via similar DNA binding interactions during transcription. In regulatory T cell model systems, the FOXP3 transcription factor occupies the promoters for genes involved in regulatory T-cell function, and may repress transcription of key genes following stimulation of T cell receptors.
Structure.
The human FOXP3 genes contain 11 coding exons. Exon-
forkhead family transcription factor Foxp3 (forkhead box p3). Expression of Foxp3 is required for regulatory T cell development and appears to control a genetic program specifying this cell's fate. The large majority of Foxp3-expressing regulatory T cells are found within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II restricted CD4-expressing (CD4) population and express high levels of the interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain (CD25). In addition to the Foxp3-expressing CD4 CD25, there also appears to be a minor population of MHC class I restricted CD8 Foxp3-expressing regulatory T cells