title: Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1/Nkx2.1/TITF1) gene regulation in the lung.
abstract: TTF-1 [thyroid transcription factor-1; also known as Nkx2.1, T/EBP (thyroid-specific-enhancer-binding protein) or TITF1] is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor essential for the morphogenesis and differentiation of the thyroid, lung and ventral forebrain. TTF-1 controls the expression of select genes in the thyroid, lung and the central nervous system. In the lung, TTF-1 controls the expression of surfactant proteins that are essential for lung stability and lung host defence. Human TTF-1 is encoded by a single gene located on chromosome 14 and is organized into two/three exons and one/two introns. Multiple transcription start sites and alternative splicing produce mRNAs with heterogeneity at the 5' end. The 3' end of the TTF-1 mRNA is characterized by a rather long untranslated region. The amino acid sequences of TTF-1 from human, rat, mouse and other species are very similar, indicating a high degree of sequence conservation. TTF-1 promoter activity is maintained by the combinatorial or co-operative actions of HNF-3 [hepatocyte nuclear factor-3; also known as FOXA (forkhead box A)], Sp (specificity protein) 1, Sp3, GATA-6 and HOXB3 (homeobox B3) transcription factors. There is limited information on the regulation of TTF-1 gene expression by hormones, cytokines and other biological agents. Glucocorticoids, cAMP and TGF-beta (transforming growth factor-beta) have stimulatory effects on TTF-1 expression, whereas TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-alpha) and ceramide have inhibitory effects on TTF-1 DNA-binding activity in lung cells. Haplo-insufficiency of TTF-1 in humans causes hypothyroidism, respiratory dysfunction and recurring pulmonary infections, underlining the importance of optimal TTF-1 levels for the maintenance of thyroid and lung function. Recent studies have implicated TTF-1 as a lineage-specific proto-oncogene for lung cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, 11937 US Highway 271, Tyler, TX 75708-3154, USA. vijay.boggaram@uthct.edu
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boggaram
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009857:Oncogenes; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D000074482:Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; C000614412:NKX2-1 protein, human; C000614414:Nkx2-1 protein, mouse; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D000074482:Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors