FOXC1

Chr 6

forkhead box C1

NCBI Gene: 2296 ENSG00000054598 UniProt: Q12948

DNA-binding transcriptional factor that plays a role in a broad range of cellular and developmental processes such as eye, bones, cardiovascular, kidney and skin development (PubMed:11782474, PubMed:14506133, PubMed:14578375, PubMed:15277473, PubMed:15299087, PubMed:15684392, PubMed:16449236, PubMed:16492674, PubMed:17210863, PubMed:19279310, PubMed:19793056, PubMed:25786029, PubMed:27804176, PubMed:27907090). Acts either as a transcriptional activator or repressor (PubMed:11782474). Binds to the consensus binding site 5'-[G/C][A/T]AAA[T/C]AA[A/C]-3' in promoter of target genes (PubMed:11782474, PubMed:12533514, PubMed:14506133, PubMed:19793056, PubMed:27804176, PubMed:7957066). Upon DNA-binding, promotes DNA bending (PubMed:14506133, PubMed:7957066). Acts as a transcriptional coactivator (PubMed:26565916). Stimulates Indian hedgehog (Ihh)-induced target gene expression mediated by the transcription factor GLI2, and hence regulates endochondral ossification (By similarity). Also acts as a transcriptional coregulator by increasing DNA-binding capacity of GLI2 in breast cancer cells (PubMed:26565916). Regulates FOXO1 through binding to a conserved element, 5'-GTAAACAAA-3' in its promoter region, implicating FOXC1 as an important regulator of cell viability and resistance to oxidative stress in the eye (PubMed:17993506). Cooperates with transcription factor FOXC2 in regulating expression of genes that maintain podocyte integrity (By similarity). Promotes cell growth inhibition by stopping the cell cycle in the G1 phase through TGFB1-mediated signals (PubMed:12408963). Involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induction by increasing cell proliferation, migration and invasion (PubMed:20406990, PubMed:22991501). Involved in chemokine CXCL12-induced endothelial cell migration through the control of CXCR4 expression (By similarity). Plays a role in the gene regulatory network essential for epidermal keratinocyte terminal differentiation (PubMed:27907090). Essential developmental transcriptional factor required for mesoderm-derived tissues, such as the somites, skin, bone and cartilage. Positively regulates CXCL12 and stem cell factor expression in bone marrow mesenchymal progenitor cells, and hence plays a role in the development and maintenance of mesenchymal niches for haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC). Plays a role in corneal transparency by preventing both blood vessel and lymphatic vessel growth during embryonic development in a VEGF-dependent manner. Involved in chemokine CXCL12-induced endothelial cell migration through the control of CXCR4 expression (By similarity). May function as a tumor suppressor (PubMed:12408963)

Primary Disease Associations & Inheritance

UniProtAxenfeld-Rieger syndrome 3

UniProtAnterior segment dysgenesis 3

599

ClinVar variants

127

Pathogenic / LP

0.95

pLI score· haploinsufficient

Active trials

Clinical Summary— FOXC1

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Gene-Disease Validity (ClinGen)

FOXC1-related anterior segment dysgenesis · ADDefinitive

Definitive — sufficient evidence for diagnostic panels

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Population Constraint (gnomAD)

Highly constrained gene — heterozygous loss-of-function variants are very rare in the population (pLI 0.95). One damaged copy is likely sufficient to cause disease.

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ClinVar Variants

127 Pathogenic / Likely Pathogenic· 358 VUS of 599 total submissions

Some data sources returned errors (1)

omim: Error: OMIM fetch failed: 429

Population Genetics & Constraint

gnomAD v4 — loss-of-function & missense intolerance

gnomAD

LoF intolerant — likely haploinsufficient

LoF Constraint?LOEUF (Loss-of-function Observed/Expected Upper bound Fraction) is the upper bound of the 90% CI for LoF OE — the preferred gnomAD v4 metric. Lower = more intolerant to LoF. LOEUF < 0.35 = highly constrained.

0.31LOEUF

pLI 0.953

Z-score 2.88

OE 0.00 (0.00–0.31)

Highly constrained

Highly LoF-intolerant (top ~10% of genes)

Missense Constraint?Missense Z-score: standard deviations fewer missense variants observed vs. expected. Z > 3.09 (p < 0.001) = gene does not tolerate missense variation. OE missense < 0.6 is also considered constrained.

0.34Z-score

OE missense 0.94 (0.84–1.05)

213 obs / 227.5 exp

Tolerant

Mild missense constraint

Observed / Expected Ratios?Shaded band = 90% confidence interval. Vertical tick = point estimate. Grey threshold line = gnomAD constraint cutoff for that variant class.

LoF OE?Ratio of observed to expected LoF variants. Upper CI bound (LOEUF) ≤ 0.35 = strong LoF constraint signal.0.00 (0.00–0.31)

0≤0.351.4

Missense OE?Ratio of observed to expected missense variants. OE ≤ 0.6 = fewer missense variants than expected by chance.0.94 (0.84–1.05)

0≤0.61.4

Synonymous OE?Control metric — synonymous variants are largely neutral and expected near OE = 1.0. Significant deviation may indicate annotation issues.1.61

0≤1.21.6

LoF obs/exp: 0 / 9.6Missense obs/exp: 213 / 227.5Syn Z: -4.90