AF4/FMR2 family member 4

AF4/FMR2 family member 4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the AFF4 gene (previously MCEF). It functions as a transcription factor and is related to Af4. It is the fourth member of the Af4 family (AFF) of transcription factors, involved in numerous pathologies, including Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), abnormal CNS development, breast cancer and azoospermia.

Because it apparently interacts with the species-specific human co-factor (P-TEFb) for HIV-1 transcription, and because it can repress HIV-1 replication, AFF4 (also known as MCEF) may have future therapeutic uses.

MCEF/AFF4 was originally cloned and named by Mario Clemente Estable of Ryerson University, while he was a post-doctoral fellow in the laboratory of Robert G. Roeder, at the Rockefeller University.

See also Transcription factors

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