Homeobox C4 Transcription Factor Promotes Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis.

Yang, Ting; Wang, Yuxuan; Li, Hang; Shi, Fengshou; Xu, Siqi; Wu, Yingting; Xin, Jiaqi; Liu, Yi et al. · Diabetes · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Homeobox C4 (HOXC4) links metabolic pathways and correlates inversely with mouse body weight and positively with Ucp1 expression in mouse adipose tissue. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments in mice demonstrated HOXC4's essential role in promoting adipose thermogenesis and providing metabolic benefits. HOXC4 interacts with the nuclear receptor coactivator 1 cofactor via its hexapeptide motif to activate Ucp1 transcription, revealing a novel mechanism of thermogenic gene regulation.

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