NFYA Protein, Human

NFYA protein serves as a vital component of the sequence-specific heterotrimeric transcription factor NF-Y, which specifically recognizes the 5'-CCAAT-3' box motif in the promoters of its target genes. This transcription factor, composed of NF-YA, NF-YB, and NF-YC, functions both as an activator and a repressor, depending on its interacting cofactors. NFYA, in particular, plays a role in positively regulating the transcription of the core clock component BMAL1. The formation of the NF-Y heterotrimer requires the interaction and dimerization of NF-YB and NF-YC, enabling NF-YA association and subsequent DNA binding. NFYA also engages in interactions with SP1, and this interaction is inhibited by glycosylation of SP1. Furthermore, NFYA interacts with ZHX1 and ZHX2, specifically through its N-terminus, as well as with ZFX3. These diverse interactions emphasize the versatile regulatory role of NFYA in the complex orchestration of transcriptional processes.