FOXO3 is a ubiquitously expressed 75 kDa protein member of a subfamily of the forkhead homeotic gene family of transcription factors and shuttles between the cytoplasm and nucleus. FOXO transcription factors are key players of cell fate decisions, metabolism, stress resistance, tumor suppression and are regulated by growth factors, oxidative stress or nutrient deprivation. FOXO3 is involved with mTOR in the regulation of autophagy in skeletal muscle, and activates protein degradation in atrophying muscle cells. FOXO3 has also been implicated in several neurodegenerative disorders including aging, neuromuscular disease, systemic lupus erythmatosus, stroke and diabetic complications.
