T bet, T box 21, T box expressed in T cells, T box protein 21, T box transcription factor TBX21, T cell specic T box transcription factor, T cell specic T box transcription factor T bet, T PET, TBET, TBLYM, TBX 21, TBX21, TPET, Transcription factor TBLYM, TBX21_HUMAN, T-box transcription factor TBX21, T-box protein 21, T-cell-specic T-box transcription factor T-bet, Transcription factor TBLYM.
This gene is a member of a phylogenetically conserved family of genes that share a common DNA-binding domain, the T-box. T-box genes encode transcription factors involved in the regulation of developmental processes. This gene is the human ortholog of mouse Tbx21/Tbet gene. Studies in mouse show that Tbx21 protein is a Th1 cell-specific transcription factor that controls the expression of the hallmark Th1 cytokine, interferon-gamma (IFNG). Expression of the human ortholog also correlates with IFNG expression in Th1 and natural killer cells, suggesting a role for this gene in initiating Th1 lineage development from naive Th precursor cells. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].