Hsf4, a transcription factor, is closely associated with multiple biological processes. Mutations in Hsf4 are responsible for congenital cataract formation, and it also plays roles in regulating heat stress response, autophagy, and tumor progression. It is involved in pathways related to cell stress reaction, organelle degradation, and cell cycle regulation [2,3,4]. Genetic models, such as knockout mouse models, have been crucial in studying its functions.

In maize, ZmHsf4 promotes the heat stress response, and its down-regulation by ZmHSF20 affects thermotolerance, placing ZmHsf4 downstream of ZmHSF20 [1]. In HSF4del42 mutant mice with congenital cataracts, HSF4 was found to facilitate organelle degradation by transcriptionally activating autophagy during lens terminal differentiation [2]. In colorectal cancer, HSF4 promotes tumor progression by transactivating c-MET, enhancing the activity of downstream ERK1/2 and AKT signaling pathways [3].

In conclusion, Hsf4 has diverse functions including promoting heat stress response in maize, facilitating autophagy during lens terminal differentiation, and promoting tumor progression in colorectal cancer. Studies using knockout models in mice and other organisms have been instrumental in uncovering these functions, contributing to our understanding of related biological processes and disease mechanisms.