myc-max

Myc-Associated Factor X (MAX) is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper (bHLHZ) family of transcription factors. It contains 1 basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) domain. It is found in the brain, heart, and lung at high levels while lower levels are seen in the liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle. MAX forms a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein complex with MYC or MAD which recognizes the core sequence 5'-CAC[GA]TG-3'. The MYC-MAX complex is a transcriptional activator, whereas the MAD-MAX complex is a repressor. It may repress transcription via the recruitment of a chromatin remodeling complex containing H3 'Lys-9' histone methyltransferase activity.

MYC associated factor X contains 1 basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) domain and belongs to the MAX family. It is highly expressed in the brain, heart, and lung while lower levels are seen in the liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle. MYC associated factor X can form homodimers and heterodimers with other family members, which include Mad, Mxi1, and Myc. Myc is an oncoprotein implicated in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The homodimers and heterodimers compete for a common DNA target site (the E box) and rearrangement among these dimer forms provides a complex system of transcriptional regulation. MYC associated factor X may also repress transcription via the recruitment of a chromatin remodeling complex containing H3 'Lys-9' histone methyltransferase activity. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants have been described for MYC associated factor X gene but the full-length nature for some of them is unknown.