HNF1B (hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 β), a homeodomain, is an atypical POU (Pit-1, Oct-1, andUnc-86) transcription factor which is associated with the early vertebrate development and embryonic survival. It is expressed in the pancreas, kidney, lung, ovary, testis, and throughout the gastrointestinal tract.
The expression of HNF1B (hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 β) is upregulated in papillary renal cell tumours (RCTs) as well as in some conventional RCCs, renal oncocytomas, chromophobe RCCs and normal kidneys. On the other hand, its expression is suppressed in Wilms′tumours. It is a nuclear protein required for liver-specific expression. It can binds to the promoters and enhancers of a variety of genes expressed in liver along with the proximal element (PE) of the albumin gene.