This gene encodes a member of the O class of winged helix/forkhead transcription factor family. Proteins encoded by this class are regulated by factors involved in growth and differentiation indicating they play a role in these processes. A translocation involving this gene on chromosome X and the homolog of the Drosophila trithorax gene, encoding a DNA binding protein, located on chromosome 11 is associated with leukemia. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2010]
Forensic Context
A study in older monozygotic twins demonstrated that the FOXO4 is a target of miR-1274a, a circulating microRNA negatively associated with activity of daily living endurance scores in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, indicating its role in age-related functional decline [La Grotta et al. DOI:10.1016/j.mad.2025.112099]. In human sepsis research, single-cell RNA-seq analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed that the FOXO4 transcription factor exhibited enhanced activity in plasma cells with high propionate metabolism, identifying it as part of a regulatory network associated with sepsis pathophysiology [Yang et al. DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-06463-2].