c-Fos Protein is a protein that 1. Immediate Early Gene: Rapidly transcribed (minutes) in response to neuronal activity. This page describes its structure, normal nervous system function, role in neurodegenerative disease, and potential as a therapeutic target.
c-Fos (FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog) is an immediate early gene (IEG) that encodes a transcription factor. It is rapidly induced in neurons in response to synaptic activity and is widely used as a marker for neuronal activation. It plays complex roles in neuroprotection, neurodegeneration, and neural plasticity.
c-Fos is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor.
| Property |
Value |
| Gene |
FOS |
| UniProt |
P01100 |
| Molecular Weight |
~62 kDa (380 amino acids) |
| Subcellular Localization |
Nucleus |
| Expression |
Induced in neurons by activity, stress |
- Immediate Early Gene: Rapidly transcribed (minutes) in response to neuronal activity
- Transcription Factor: Forms heterodimers with Jun proteins (AP-1 complex)
- Activity-Dependent Transcription: Regulates late-response genes
- Synaptic Plasticity: Involved in LTPmechanisms/long-term-potentiation), learning, and memory
- Cell Survival: Can be pro-survival or pro-apoptotic depending on context
- 6-OHDA Model: c-Fos induced in dopaminergic neurons after lesion
- MPTP Model: Rapid c-Fos expression in substantia nigra
- Neuroprotection: c-Fos may mediate protective responses to toxins
- Amyloid-Beta: Aβ induces c-Fos expression
- Tau Pathology: Neurofibrillary tangles associated with altered c-Fos
- Neuronal Activity: Abnormal c-Fos responses in AD models
¶ Stroke and Brain Injury
- Ischemic Preconditioning: c-Fos involved in protective responses
- Glutamate Excitotoxicity: c-Fos induced by excessive stimulation
- Traumatic Brain Injury: Immediate c-Fos surge in injured brain
- AP-1 Modulation: Modulating AP-1 (c-Fos/c-Jun) transcriptional activity
- IEG Regulation: Targeting upstream signaling (MAPK pathways)
- Neuroprotection: Enhancing c-Fos-mediated protective responses
c-Fos is widely used as a functional mapping marker:
- Fos Immunohistochemistry: Maps activated brain regions
- Fos-CreERT2 Systems: Activity-dependent genetic labeling
- Fos-GFP Reporters: Live neuronal activity monitoring