P01100

c-Fos is a nuclear phosphoprotein that acts as a transcriptional regulator, characterized by rapid and transient expression in response to a wide array of stimuli, including growth factors, cytokines, and stress signals. c-Fos forms heterodimers with members of the Jun family—such as c-Jun, Jun B, and Jun D, to create the Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor complex, which binds to specific DNA elements to regulate gene expression linked to cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Beyond interactions with Jun proteins, c-Fos also associates with transcription factors like ATF-2 and CREB, forming leucine zipper dimers that exhibit differential specificity for AP-1 and CRE sites. c-Fos is regulated by coactivators such as CBP/p300, which modulate activity through acetylation, influencing gene transcription outcomes. c-Fos is involved in regulating cytoskeletal organization and cellular motility, highlighting diverse functions beyond transcriptional regulation.