However HNFs are also expressed and play important roles in a number of other tissues so that the name hepatocyte nuclear factor is somewhat misleading.

Hence hepatocyte nuclear factors function to ensure liver specific expression of certain genes.

As is the case with many transcription factors, HNFs regulate the expression of a wide variety of target genes and therefore functions.

[3] Mutations in HNF genes are also associated with a number of others diseases including hepatic adenomas and renal cysts.

The following is a list of human hepatocyte nuclear factors (see also boxes to the right for additional information about these proteins): Members of the HNF1 subfamily contain a POU-homeodomain and bind to DNA as homodimers.