The Role of the Ubiquitously Expressed Transcription Factor Sp1 in Tissue-specific Transcriptional Regulation and in Disease

Yale J Biol Med. 2016 Dec 23;89(4):513-525. eCollection 2016 Dec.

Abstract

Sp1 belongs to the 26 member strong Sp/KLF family of transcription factors. It is a paradigm for a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor and is involved in regulating the expression of genes associated with a wide range of cellular processes in mammalian cells. Sp1 can interact with a range of proteins, including other transcription factors, members of the transcription initiation complex and epigenetic regulators, enabling tight regulation of its target genes. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms involved in Sp1-mediated transcriptional regulation, as well as how a ubiquitous transcription factor can be involved in establishing a tissue-specific pattern of gene expression and mechanisms by which its activity may be regulated. We also consider the role of Sp1 in human diseases, such as cancer.

Keywords: Sp1 transcription factor; epigenetics; gene regulation; human disease; tissue specificity; transcriptome.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Humans
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcriptome / genetics

Substances

  • Sp1 Transcription Factor
  • Transcription Factors