This gene encodes a nuclear protein, which is expressed in heart, aorta, and in smooth muscle cell-containing tissues. It functions as a transcriptional co-activator of serum response factor (SRF) and modulates expression of cardiac and smooth muscle-specific SRF-target genes, and thus may play a crucial role in cardiogenesis and differentiation of the smooth muscle cell lineage. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.[provided by RefSeq, Sep 2009],domain:The C-terminal region contains a general transcription activation domain. The N-terminal region, comprising a basic and a Gln-rich domain, confers transcriptional potency and specificity by mediating association with the MADS box of SRF. The basic domain may be required for nuclear localization. The SAP domain is important for transactivation and ternary complex formation.,function:Transcriptional factor that uses the canonical single or multiple CArG boxes DNA sequence. Binds CArG boxes only in the presence of serum response factor (SRF). Acts as a cofactor of SRF and modulates SRF-target genes. Regulates the expression of a set of cardiac and smooth muscle-specific genes. Plays a crucial role in cardiogenesis and differentiation of the smooth muscle cell lineage.,similarity:Contains 1 SAP domain.,similarity:Contains 3 RPEL repeats.,subunit:Homodimer. Interacts with SRF, its association does not depend on specific DNA sequences for ternary complex formation (By similarity). Interacts with MLLT7/FOXO4.,tissue specificity:Expressed in heart, aorta, and in smooth muscle cell-containing tissues: stomach, bladder, small intestine, colon, lung, placenta and uterus. Very faint expression in prostate and skeletal muscle.,
