Recombinant Xenopus laevis Forkhead box protein O3 (foxo3), partial

Transcriptional activator that recognizes and binds to the DNA sequence 5'-[AG]TAAA[TC]A-3' and regulates different processes, such as apoptosis and autophagy. Acts as a positive regulator of autophagy in skeletal muscle: in starved cells, enters the nucleus following dephosphorylation and binds the promoters of autophagy genes, thereby activating their expression, resulting in proteolysis of skeletal muscle proteins. Triggers apoptosis in the absence of survival factors, including neuronal cell death upon oxidative stress. In response to metabolic stress, translocates into the mitochondria where it promotes mtDNA transcription. Also acts as a key regulator of chondrogenic commitment of skeletal progenitor cells in response to lipid availability: when lipids levels are low, translocates to the nucleus and promotes expression of sox9, which induces chondrogenic commitment and suppresses fatty acid oxidation. Also acts as a key regulator of regulatory T-cells (Treg) differentiation.