Nuclear Factor, Interleukin 3 Regulated (NFIL3)

Expression of interleukin-3 (IL3) is restricted to activated T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and mast cell lines. Transcription initiation depends on the activating capacity of specific protein factors, such as NFIL3, that bind to regulatory regions of the gene, usually upstream of the transcription start site.

The predicted 462-amino acid protein belongs to the bZIP family and contains a linked basic DNA-binding domain and a leucine zipper structure necessary for dimerization.Northern blot analysis revealed high expression of NFIL3A in bladder and weak expression in muscle. RT-PCR analysis detected expression in a variety of human hematopoietic cell lines.Expression was highest in the lung and lowest in brain and spinal cord.