Transcription factor landscape - Brain region - Glial cells

Transcriptome analysis shows that 78% (n=15821) of all human proteins (n=20162) are detected in neuronal cells and 3901 of these genes show an elevated expression in any glial cells compared to other brain cell types. Learn more about genes with elevated expression in glial cells here. In-depth analysis of transcription factor genes expressed in glial cells highlights 270 transcription factors with elevated expression in glial cells compared to other cell types. In total, 32 transcription factors are classified as enriched in glial cells.

Here we provide the expression overview of all transcription factors that show enriched expression levels in neuronal clusters compared to other brain cluster types.

Enriched transcription factors
Gene Expression
CEBPE
Cell type enriched (Central nervous system macrophage)
CTCFL
Cell type enriched (Bergmann glia)
DLX3
Cell type enriched (Ependymal cell)
KLF17
Cell type enriched (Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
NKX6-2
Cell type enriched (Oligodendrocyte)
SOX1
Cell type enriched (Bergmann glia)
LMX1A
Cell type enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell)
CEBPA
Cell type enriched (Central nervous system macrophage)
DMRT2
Cell type enriched (Oligodendrocyte)
HNF4A
Cell type enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell)
MYT1
Cell type enriched (Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
ASCL4
Cell type enriched (Central nervous system macrophage)
BHLHE41
Cell type enriched (Central nervous system macrophage)
E2F7
Cell type enriched (Ependymal cell)
EHF
Cell type enriched (Ependymal cell)
FOXA1
Cell type enriched (Ependymal cell)
FOXJ1
Cell type enriched (Ependymal cell)
GLI1
Cell type enriched (Bergmann glia)
HELT
Cell type enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell)
HOXD1
Cell type enriched (Oligodendrocyte)
IRF5
Cell type enriched (Central nervous system macrophage)
IRF8
Cell type enriched (Central nervous system macrophage)
MSX2
Cell type enriched (Bergmann glia)
PAX3
Cell type enriched (Bergmann glia)
PITX1
Cell type enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell)
SOX3
Cell type enriched (Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
TAL1
Cell type enriched (Central nervous system macrophage)
TBX4
Cell type enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell)
TFCP2L1
Cell type enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell)
TFEC
Cell type enriched (Central nervous system macrophage)
VENTX
Cell type enriched (Central nervous system macrophage)
ZNF710
Cell type enriched (Central nervous system macrophage)

Enriched transcription factors
Gene Expression
CRX
Group enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Upper rhombic lip)
DMRT1
Group enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Ependymal cell)
NR2E1
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Cge interneuron, Choroid plexus epithelial cell)
OLIG1
Group enriched (Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Oligodendrocyte, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
TCF7
Group enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Ependymal cell, Leukocyte)
OTX2
Group enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Midbrain-derived inhibitory)
HMX1
Group enriched (Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
IKZF1
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Leukocyte)
VSX1
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell, Upper rhombic lip)
PAX6
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Ependymal cell, Upper rhombic lip)
VAX2
Group enriched (Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Hippocampal dentate gyrus, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell, Upper rhombic lip)
FOXB1
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Ependymal cell, Mammillary body)
NR0B1
Group enriched (Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
DBX2
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
ESRRB
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Choroid plexus epithelial cell)
LHX2
Group enriched (Amygdala excitatory, Astrocyte, Deep-layer intratelencephalic, Hippocampal ca1-3, Hippocampal ca4, Hippocampal dentate gyrus, Lamp5-lhx6 and chandelier, Miscellaneous, Thalamic excitatory, Upper-layer intratelencephalic)
NFE2
Group enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Leukocyte)
NKX2-2
Group enriched (Bergmann glia, Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Oligodendrocyte, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
SOX21
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Ependymal cell, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
SOX8
Group enriched (Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Oligodendrocyte, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
RFX4
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Ependymal cell)
RORB
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Deep-layer intratelencephalic, Midbrain-derived inhibitory, Thalamic excitatory, Upper-layer intratelencephalic)
SATB2
Group enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Deep-layer corticothalamic and 6b, Deep-layer intratelencephalic, Deep-layer near-projecting, Ependymal cell, Hippocampal ca1-3, Miscellaneous, Upper-layer intratelencephalic)
SOX10
Group enriched (Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Oligodendrocyte, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
SP140
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Leukocyte)
ST18
Group enriched (Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Oligodendrocyte)
ZFP57
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Leukocyte, Oligodendrocyte, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell, Pericyte)
LMX1B
Group enriched (Ependymal cell, Splatter)
MYB
Group enriched (Ependymal cell, Lamp5-lhx6 and chandelier, Medium spiny neuron)
MYRF
Group enriched (Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Oligodendrocyte)
NKX2-8
Group enriched (Lamp5-lhx6 and chandelier, Lower rhombic lip, Mammillary body, Oligodendrocyte)
PGR
Group enriched (Endothelial cell, Ependymal cell, Fibroblast, Pericyte, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
ARID5A
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Endothelial cell, Leukocyte, Pericyte, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
ASCL2
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Leukocyte)
ATF3
Group enriched (Endothelial cell, Ependymal cell, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
ATOH8
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Endothelial cell, Fibroblast, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
BNC2
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Endothelial cell, Fibroblast)
DMRT3
Group enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Ependymal cell)
ELF4
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Leukocyte)
ELK3
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Endothelial cell, Leukocyte, Upper rhombic lip)
FLI1
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Endothelial cell, Leukocyte)
FOS
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Central nervous system macrophage, Endothelial cell, Ependymal cell, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
FOSL1
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Endothelial cell)
GLI2
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Ependymal cell, Fibroblast)
GLIS3
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Ependymal cell)
GRHL3
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Central nervous system macrophage)
HES1
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Endothelial cell, Ependymal cell, Fibroblast, Pericyte, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
HES5
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
HHEX
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Endothelial cell)
HIF3A
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Endothelial cell, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
ID4
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Ependymal cell)
IRX1
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Ependymal cell, Lower rhombic lip, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
LHX8
Group enriched (Ependymal cell, Splatter)
MAFB
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Cge interneuron, Lamp5-lhx6 and chandelier, Leukocyte, Mge interneuron)
MEF2A
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Endothelial cell)
MEOX2
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Fibroblast, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
MYCL
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Committed oligodendrocyte precursor)
NFATC4
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Fibroblast, Pericyte, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
NKX6-1
Group enriched (Ependymal cell, Fibroblast, Pericyte, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
NR1H4
Group enriched (Ependymal cell, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
POU4F1
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Splatter)
POU5F1B
Group enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Ependymal cell)
PRRX1
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Fibroblast, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell, Pericyte)
PRRX2
Group enriched (Fibroblast, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
RFX2
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Ependymal cell)
RORC
Group enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Ependymal cell)
RUNX1
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Leukocyte)
SIX3
Group enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Eccentric medium spiny neuron, Ependymal cell, Medium spiny neuron)
SIX5
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Endothelial cell, Ependymal cell, Fibroblast, Pericyte, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
SMAD9
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Endothelial cell, Hippocampal dentate gyrus, Midbrain-derived inhibitory)
SOX4
Group enriched (Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Midbrain-derived inhibitory, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
SRY
Group enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Ependymal cell)
TCF7L1
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Endothelial cell, Ependymal cell, Fibroblast, Pericyte, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
TFAP2C
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Endothelial cell, Fibroblast)
TP63
Group enriched (Ependymal cell, Fibroblast, Pericyte)
ZNF19
Group enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Ependymal cell)
ZNF331
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Leukocyte, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
ZNF469
Group enriched (Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
ZNF556
Group enriched (Central nervous system macrophage, Cerebellar inhibitory, Hippocampal ca4, Upper rhombic lip)
ZNF648
Group enriched (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Fibroblast, Lamp5-lhx6 and chandelier)
ZNF98
Group enriched (Astrocyte, Ependymal cell)

Enriched transcription factors
Gene Expression
SOX30
Cell type enhanced (Ependymal cell)
GATA1
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Ependymal cell, Oligodendrocyte)
ZIC1
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia, Fibroblast, Pericyte)
OLIG2
Cell type enhanced (Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
POU3F2
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Ependymal cell)
TBX22
Cell type enhanced (Ependymal cell, Thalamic excitatory)
POU3F3
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia, Oligodendrocyte, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
ZIC4
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia, Fibroblast, Pericyte, Upper rhombic lip)
GBX2
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia, Ependymal cell, Thalamic excitatory)
TBX19
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage)
TSC22D4
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Oligodendrocyte)
ETV2
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia)
POU3F1
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia, Hippocampal ca1-3, Miscellaneous)
HNF4G
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Ependymal cell, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
MLXIPL
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage)
FOXN4
Cell type enhanced (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Ependymal cell)
MAFA
Cell type enhanced (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Ependymal cell)
SPI1
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage, Leukocyte)
ZIC3
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia, Endothelial cell, Fibroblast)
EN1
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
LHX9
Cell type enhanced (Ependymal cell, Splatter, Thalamic excitatory)
MSGN1
Cell type enhanced (Choroid plexus epithelial cell)
MSX1
Cell type enhanced (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Ependymal cell)
ONECUT1
Cell type enhanced (Cerebellar inhibitory, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
OTX1
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Ependymal cell)
SALL3
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Ependymal cell, Mammillary body, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
SIX4
Cell type enhanced (Choroid plexus epithelial cell)
ZIC5
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia, Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Endothelial cell, Upper rhombic lip)
HOXB7
Cell type enhanced (Ependymal cell, Splatter)
OVOL3
Cell type enhanced (Oligodendrocyte)
PROX1
Cell type enhanced (Cge interneuron, Hippocampal dentate gyrus, Oligodendrocyte)
TAL2
Cell type enhanced (Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
ALX1
Cell type enhanced (Ependymal cell, Fibroblast, Pericyte)
ALX4
Cell type enhanced (Ependymal cell, Fibroblast, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
ARID3A
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage)
ASCL1
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
BARX2
Cell type enhanced (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Deep-layer near-projecting, Ependymal cell)
BATF3
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage, Choroid plexus epithelial cell)
BCL6
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte)
BHLHE40
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Endothelial cell, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
CEBPB
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage)
CREB3L1
Cell type enhanced (Deep-layer corticothalamic and 6b, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
CREB3L2
Cell type enhanced (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Fibroblast)
CREB3L4
Cell type enhanced (Ependymal cell)
CREB5
Cell type enhanced (Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Oligodendrocyte)
CREBL2
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage)
CUX2
Cell type enhanced (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Mammillary body, Upper-layer intratelencephalic)
DLX4
Cell type enhanced (Ependymal cell)
DMRTA1
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia, Choroid plexus epithelial cell)
DMRTA2
Cell type enhanced (Oligodendrocyte)
EBF4
Cell type enhanced (Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
EGR2
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage)
ELF1
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage, Endothelial cell, Leukocyte)
EMX2
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Pericyte, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
ESRRG
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia)
ETV5
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage)
ETV6
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
FEZF1
Cell type enhanced (Amygdala excitatory, Astrocyte, Ependymal cell, Splatter)
FOXN2
Cell type enhanced (Oligodendrocyte)
FOXN3
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage)
FOXO1
Cell type enhanced (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Endothelial cell)
GLI3
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Ependymal cell, Fibroblast)
HES6
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia)
HEY2
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Pericyte, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
HMGA2
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Deep-layer near-projecting, Ependymal cell)
HOXA2
Cell type enhanced (Ependymal cell, Lower rhombic lip)
HOXA3
Cell type enhanced (Ependymal cell, Lower rhombic lip)
HOXA7
Cell type enhanced (Committed oligodendrocyte precursor, Ependymal cell, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
HOXB3
Cell type enhanced (Ependymal cell, Lower rhombic lip, Splatter)
ID2
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte)
ID3
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Endothelial cell, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
IRF6
Cell type enhanced (Cerebellar inhibitory, Endothelial cell, Ependymal cell)
IRF7
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage, Endothelial cell, Leukocyte)
IRX2
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia, Lower rhombic lip)
IRX3
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Ependymal cell)
IRX5
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia, Ependymal cell)
JUN
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Endothelial cell, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
KLF15
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia)
LYL1
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage, Endothelial cell)
MAF
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage)
MAFK
Cell type enhanced (Choroid plexus epithelial cell)
MEF2C
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage)
MEIS1
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia, Oligodendrocyte, Upper rhombic lip)
MITF
Cell type enhanced (Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Oligodendrocyte)
MKX
Cell type enhanced (Ependymal cell, Mammillary body)
MYCN
Cell type enhanced (Midbrain-derived inhibitory, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
NFATC1
Cell type enhanced (Bergmann glia, Central nervous system macrophage, Ependymal cell, Leukocyte)
NFATC2
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage, Choroid plexus epithelial cell, Leukocyte)
NFKBID
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage, Leukocyte)
NFKBIE
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage)
NPAS3
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Bergmann glia)
NR4A3
Cell type enhanced (Ependymal cell, Vascular associated smooth muscle cell)
PAX7
Cell type enhanced (Ependymal cell)
PLAG1
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage)
POU2F2
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage)
POU6F2
Cell type enhanced (Deep-layer corticothalamic and 6b, Deep-layer intratelencephalic, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell)
PPARA
Cell type enhanced (Choroid plexus epithelial cell)
PPARD
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage, Endothelial cell)
PRDM1
Cell type enhanced (Central nervous system macrophage, Leukocyte, Mge interneuron)
PRDM16
Cell type enhanced (Astrocyte, Choroid plexus epithelial cell)