SOX10: Proteins and Enzymes

Members of the large SOX family of transcription factors are widely conserved and at least 20 are found in mammals. Structurally SOX proteins exhibit a high mobility group (HMG) motif that binds the DNA minor groove. SOX family members are often found in multiprotein complexes that regulate their ability to affect transcription. SOX proteins play important roles in early development and are often used as markers to assess the differentiation of specific cell lineages.

SOX10 is required for the terminal differentiation of oligodendrocytes and myelination. In the peripheral nervous system, SOX10 maintains pluripotency of neural crest stem cells and suppresses neuronal differentiation.