The protein encoded by this gene is one subunit of a trimeric complex, forming a highly conserved transcription factor that binds with high specificity to CCAAT motifs in the promoter regions in a variety of genes. This gene product, subunit B, forms a tight dimer with the C subunit, a prerequisite for subunit A association. The resulting trimer binds to DNA with high specificity and affinity. Subunits B and C each contain a histone-like motif. Observation of the histone nature of these subunits is supported by two types of evidence; protein sequence alignments and experiments with mutants.[7]
^"Human PubMed Reference:".National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
^"Mouse PubMed Reference:".National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
^Li XY, Mattei MG, Zaleska-Rutczynska Z, Hooft van Huijsduijnen R, Figueroa F, Nadeau J, Benoist C, Mathis D (Mar 1992). "One subunit of the transcription factor NF-Y maps close to the major histocompatibility complex in murine and human chromosomes".Genomics.11 (3):630–4.doi:10.1016/0888-7543(91)90070-U.PMID1774067.
^Maity SN, de Crombrugghe B (Jun 1998). "Role of the CCAAT-binding protein CBF/NF-Y in transcription".Trends Biochem Sci.23 (5):174–8.doi:10.1016/S0968-0004(98)01201-8.PMID9612081.
^Izumi H, Molander C, Penn LZ, Ishisaki A, Kohno K, Funa K (Apr 2001). "Mechanism for the transcriptional repression by c-Myc on PDGF beta-receptor".J. Cell Sci.114 (Pt 8):1533–44.doi:10.1242/jcs.114.8.1533.PMID11282029.
Lloberas J, Soler C, Celada A (1998). "Repression mechanisms of the I-A beta gene of the major histocompatibility complex".Immunobiology.198 (1–3):249–63.doi:10.1016/s0171-2985(97)80045-9.PMID9442396.
Izumi H, Molander C, Penn LZ, Ishisaki A, Kohno K, Funa K (2001). "Mechanism for the transcriptional repression by c-Myc on PDGF beta-receptor".J. Cell Sci.114 (Pt 8):1533–44.doi:10.1242/jcs.114.8.1533.PMID11282029.