Function
Transcription factor playing important roles in primary neurulation and in the differentiation of stratified epithelia of both ectodermal and endodermal origin. Binds directly to the consensus DNA sequence 5'-AACCGGTT-3' acting as an activator and repressor on distinct target genes. Essential for epidermal differentiation and barrier formation at the end of embryogenesis with TGM3 as critical direct target (PubMed:21081122, PubMed:20654612, PubMed:25347468). Exhibits functional redundancy with GRHL2 in epidermal morphogenetic events such as eyelid fusion and epidermal wound repair (PubMed:21081122). Despite being dispensable during normal epidermal homeostasis in the adulthood, is again required for barrier repair after immune-mediated epidermal damage, regulates distinct gene batteries in embryonic epidermal differentiation and adult epidermal barrier reformation after injury (PubMed:25347468). Plays unique and cooperative roles with GRHL2 in establishing distinct zones of primary neurulation. Essential for spinal closure, functions cooperatively with GRHL2 in closure 2 (forebrain/midbrain boundary) and posterior neuropore closure (PubMed:14608380, PubMed:20654612). Also required for proper development of the oral periderm (PubMed:24360809). No genetic interaction with GRHL1, no functional cooperativity due to diverse target gene selectivity (PubMed:21081122).
Sequence
MSNELDFRSVRLLKNDPVSFQKFPYSNEDEAWKTYLENPLTAATKAMMRVNGDEESVAALSFLYDYYMGPKEKRILSSSTGGRNDQGKKFYHSMDYEPDLAPLESPTHLMKFLTENVSGSPDYTDQLKKNNLLGLEGVLPTPGKTNTVPPGPSKLEASSMDSYLLPASDIYDNGSLNSLFESIHGVPPTQRWQPDSTFKDDPQESLLFPDILKTSPDPPCPEDYPGLKSDFEYTLGSPKAIHIKAGESPMAYLNKGQFYPVTLRTPAGGKGLALSSSKVKSVVMVVFDNDKVPVEQLRFWRHWHSRQPTAKQRVIDVADCKENFNTVQHIEEVAYNALSFVWNVNEEAKVFIGVNCLSTDFSSQKGVKGVPLNLQIDTYDCGAGTERLVHRAVCQIKIFCDKGAERKMRDDERKQFRRKVKCPDSSNNAGIKGCLLSGFRGNETTYLRPETDLETQPVLFIPNLHFSSLQRPGGVVPSAGHSSSDRLPLKRTCSPFAEEFEPLPSKQAKEDDLQRVLLYVRRETEEVFDALMLKTPDLKGLRNAISEKYGLPEENICKVYKKCKRGILVNMDNNIIQHYSNHVAFLLDMGELDGKIQIILKEL