FEATURES

DESCRIPTION

Also known as PHA4_CAEEL, pha-4, fkh-1. Acts as a transcription factor required for formation of the pharyngeal primordium (PubMed:7607089, PubMed:18448117). Binds to the consensus sequence 5'-T[AG]TT[TG][AG][TC]-3' with variations of the sequence affecting onset of target gene expression (PubMed:18448117). Activates a wide array of pharyngeal genes including ceh-22 and myo-2 and represses ectodermal genes lin-26 and elt-3, ensuring pharyngeal cell fate. Required for recruitment of htz-1 to a subset of pharyngeal promoters to ensure gene activation and also acts synergistically with tbx-2 in pharyngeal development. Acts in the regulation of diet-restriction-mediated longevity by increasing expression of sod-1, sod-2, sod-4 and sod-5 but not sod-3 (PubMed:17476212). Positively regulates the expression of the transcription factor hlh-6 in the pharyngeal gland (PubMed:17049341). May regulate gene expression in the intestine (PubMed:18448117). Interacts with elt-2.

EXTERNAL LINKS

pha-4

Defective pharyngeal development protein 4

pha-4

Molecular Synopsis