AIRE (Autoimmune Regulator; also APECED) is a 58-60kD member of the PHD Zn-finger family of transcription factors. It appears to have restricted expression, being identified in thymic medullary epithelium, dendritic cells and neutrophils. AIRE regulates the expression of self-antigens in thymus. In particular, genes coding for these antigens are generally inactive, and show minimal H3K4me3 and AcH3 reactivity in their promoters. Human AIRE is 545aa in length. It contains multiple domains, including an HSR domain that mediates homodimerization (aa1-105), an NLS (aa131-133), a SAND domain (aa181-280), and two Zn-finger PHD domains (aa296-343 and 434-475) that bind to nonmethylated histone H3. There are isoforms that show a Trp substitution for aa437-467, a 95aa substitution for aa1-292, and a 75aa substitution for aa377-545. Over aa476-545, human AIRE shares 71% aa identity with mouse AIRE.
Intended for research use only. Not for use in human, therapeutic, or diagnostic applications.