The protein encoded by this gene is a DNA-binding, leucine zipper-containing transcription factor that acts as a homodimer or as a heterodimer. Depending on the binding site and binding partner, the encoded protein can be a transcriptional activator or repressor. This protein plays a role in the regulation of several cellular processes, including embryonic lens fiber cell development, increased T-cell susceptibility to apoptosis, and chondrocyte terminal differentiation. Defects in this gene are a cause of juvenile-onset pulverulent cataract as well as congenital cerulean cataract 4 (CCA4). Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. Alias Symbols: CCA4, c-MAF Protein Interaction Partner: MAFB, FOSL1, MAF, FOS, ATF4, AHR, SUMO1, UBE2I, PML, SIN3A, HDAC2, SMARCA5, CEBPA, KDM5B, MAFA, SOX9, EP300, MAFG, USF2, CREBBP, MYB, JUN, ETS1, HOXD12, Protein Size: 403