T-bet/TBX21: Proteins and Enzymes

T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet), also known as T-box transcription factor TBX21, is a 62 kDa member of the T-box family of transcription factors and the Tbr1 subfamily. Human T-bet is 535 amino acids in length and contains a T-box DNA binding domain (aa 136-327). Human T-bet shares 88% aa sequence identity with mouse T-bet. T-bet is a nuclear protein highly apparent in Th1-cells. Northern blot analysis revealed that it is also expressed in lung, thymus and spleen. Functionally, T-bet controls the expression of the Th1 cytokine, IFN-gamma, and initiates Th1 lineage development from naive Th precursor cells by both activating Th1 genetic programs and by repressing the opposing Th2 programs.