Carbohydrate Response Element Binding Protein (CHREBP)

MLXIPL encodes a basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper transcription factor of the Myc/Max/Mad superfamily. This protein forms a heterodimeric complex and binds and activates, in a glucose-dependent manner, carbohydrate response element (ChoRE) motifs in the promoters of triglyceride synthesis genes.

WBSCR14 was expressed in multiple tissues, including regions of the brain and the intestinal tract. WBSCR14 formed heterodimers with the bHLH-ZIP protein Mlx to bind the DNA sequence CACGTG. Like Max, Mlx has no intrinsic transcriptional activity, but its association with Mad1, Mad4, Mnt, or WBSCR14 can repress E-box-dependent transcription. Preliminary results suggested a possible role of WBSCR14 in growth control.