c-Maf (E2Q5D) Rabbit mAb #26745

Transcription factor c-Maf, also known as MAF and V-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog, is a basic leucine zipper transcription factor (bZIP) in the large Maf protein subclass and belongs to the AP-1 superfamily (1). In humans, there are three c-Maf isoforms and in mice, only two isoforms have been characterized (2). Maf proteins contain a highly conserved ancillary DNA binding domain, N-terminal to the basic domain, and bind to relatively long DNA sequences termed Maf-recognition elements (MAREs) (3). c-Maf can form homodimers and heterodimers with other bZIP proteins like Jun and Fos, as well as non-bZIP proteins (4,5). c-Maf plays an important role in lens fiber cell development, bone development, apoptosis, and the immune system (6,7). In T cells, c-Maf expression is induced by TCR stimulation, and sustained by co-stimulatory signals, and/or cytokines like IL-4, IL-6, TGF-β, and IL-27 (8-12). In macrophages, c-Maf is required for self-renewal and promotes IL-10 production while inhibiting IL-12 (13,14). c-Maf plays a critical role in intestinal immune homeostasis, regulating ILC3s, Th17 cells, γδ T cells, and regulatory T (Treg) cells (7). c-Maf is an oncogene that contributes to the progression of some hematological malignancies and is expressed in other cancers but is not always correlated with poor prognosis (15,16).