TFEB is a mammalian transcription factor that binds directly to the CLEAR consensus sequence (5′‐GTCACGTGAC‐3′) present in the regulatory regions of genes inducing autophagosome formation, autophagosome‐lysosome fusion, hydrolase enzyme expression, and lysosomal exocytosis. By modulating these activities, TFEB coordinates on‐demand control over each cell’s degradation pathway. Thus, a nuclear signaling pathway regulates cellular energy metabolism through TFEB. Our growing understanding of the role of TFEB and CLEAR in the promotion of healthy clearance together with in vitro and in vivo preclinical findings in various animal models of disease supports the conclusion that the pharmacological activation of TFEB could clear toxic proteins to treat both rare and common forms of neurodegenerative disease.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.