Germ Cell Nuclear Factor

The germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF, NR6A1), also called RTR (retinoid receptor-related testis-associated receptor), is an orphan member of the nuclear receptors superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors. GCNF is not closely related to other members of the nuclear receptor superfamily due to a critical difference in its LBD. It does not contain an activator function HR (AF-H) and is known to drive gene silencing. GCNF can bind to DNA sequences consist of a directly repeated (DR0) consensus motif PuGGTCA with zero spacing and acts as a transcriptional repressor. During embryogenesis GCNF expression is restricted to the developing nervous system, whereas in the adult the receptor is also expressed during specific stages in maturing germ cells of the ovary and testis. Therefore GCNF may participate in the regulation of neurogenesis and reproductive functions.