MAZ (gene)

MAZ, or Myc-associated zinc finger protein, is a human gene encoding a transcription factor. It is located on chromosome 16p13.3. MAZ is a zinc finger protein, a class of proteins characterized by the presence of zinc-binding motifs that facilitate DNA binding.

MAZ is a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein that binds to a GC-rich sequence element called the MAZ recognition sequence (MRS), typically found in the promoter regions of various genes. The MRS consensus sequence is often represented as GAGGGGAGG.

MAZ is implicated in the regulation of several cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. It has been shown to be involved in the transcription of genes involved in mitochondrial function, ribosome biogenesis, and the regulation of the cell cycle. MAZ can act as both a transcriptional activator and repressor, depending on the cellular context and the specific gene being regulated.

Dysregulation of MAZ expression has been associated with various diseases, including cancer and diabetes. Further research is ongoing to fully elucidate the role of MAZ in normal physiology and disease pathogenesis, with the goal of potentially targeting MAZ for therapeutic intervention.