The protein encoded by this gene is a zinc finger transcription factor that binds to SP1-like sequences in epsilon- and gamma-globin gene promoters. This binding inhibits cell growth and causes apoptosis. Defects in this gene are a cause of maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 7 (MODY7). Three transcript variants encoding two different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Apr 2010],caution:PubMed:11087666 sequence was originally thought to originate from mouse.,disease:Defects in KLF11 are the cause of maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 7 (MODY7) [MIM:610508]. MODY [MIM:606391] has an autosomal dominant inheritance, onset at age less than 25 years and a primary defect in insulin secretion. MODY pedigrees are usually multigenerational families with penetrance of 80 to 95%. Patients have a nonobese body habitus and the so-called metabolic syndrome characterized by diabetes, insulin resistance, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia is absent.,function:Transcription factor. Activates the epsilon- and gamma-globin gene promoters and, to a much lower degree, the beta-globin gene and represses promoters containing SP1-like binding inhibiting cell growth. Represses transcription of SMAD7 which enhances TGF-beta signaling. Induces apoptosis.,induction:By TGF-beta.,similarity:Belongs to the Sp1 C2H2-type zinc-finger protein family.,similarity:Contains 3 C2H2-type zinc fingers.,tissue specificity:Ubiquitous. Higher expression in erythroid cells.,