Figla is a germ-line specific transcription factor implicated in postnatal oocyte-specific gene expression. It plays a key regulatory role in the expression of multiple oocyte-specific genes, including those that initiate folliculogenesis and those that encode the zona pellucida (ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3) required for fertilization and early embryonic survival. It is essential for oocytes to survive and form primordial follicles. The persistence of FIGLA in adult females suggests that it may regulate additional pathways that are essential for normal ovarian development. Figla binds to the E-box (5'-CANNTG-3') of the ZPs (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3) promoters. Alias Symbols: bHLHc8 Protein Size: 194