Immediate Early Genes Article Index for
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Immediate Early Genes




About 40 IEGs have been identified so far. The earliest known and best characterized include ''c-fos", "c-myc" and ''c-jun'', genes that were found to be homologous to Retroviral Oncogenes . Thus IEGs are well known as early regulators of cell growth and differentiation signals. However, other findings suggest roles for IEGs in many other cellular processes.

In their role as "gateways to genomic response", many IEG products are naturally Transcription Factor s or other DNA Binding Protein s. However, other important classes of IEG products include secreted proteins, cytoskeletal proteins, and receptor subunits.

Some IEGs (for example zif268) have been implicated in Learning and Memory and Long Term Potentiation .


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