title: Molecular basis of tissue-specific gene expression mediated by the runt domain transcription factor PEBP2/CBF.
abstract: The Runt domain transcription factor PEBP2/CBF is a heterodimer of alpha and beta subunits. Of the three mammalian alpha subunit genes, which are homologues of the Drosophila gene runt, PEBP2alphaA/CBFA1 and PEBP2alphaB/AML1 are critical regulators of osteogenesis and haematopoiesis, respectively. A unique functional interaction between PEBP2alphaB/AML1 and Ets-1 was recently observed, and provides a clear example of context-dependent transcriptional regulation. An elaborate mechanism of cooperation between the two factors may represent a basis for tissue-specific gene expression, which is thought to be achieved by combinations of specific sets of transcription factors unique to each cell lineage or stage of differentiation. A possible molecular basis for the critical role(s) played by PEBP2/CBF in tissue determination is discussed in light of these observations.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Regulation, Department of Viral Oncology, Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto University, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan. yito@virus.kyoto-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ito
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C493674:TfAP-2 protein, Drosophila; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2; D014157:Transcription Factors