Achaete-scute homolog 1 (ASCL1)

Transcription factor that plays an integral role in neuronal differentiation: functions as a pioneer transcription factor, accessing closed chromatin to allow other things to bind and activate neural pathways. Directly binds the E box motif (5'-CANNTG-3') on promoters and promotes transcription of neuronal genes.

The combination of three transcription factors, ASCL1, POU3F2/BRN2 and MYT1L, is enough to reprogram fibroblasts and other somatic cells into induced neuronal (iN) cells in vitro. Plays a role at early stages of development of specific neural lineages in most regions of the CNS, and of many lineages from the PNS.