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Upstream stimulating factors: highly versatile stress-responsive transcription factors
Sébastien Corre1, Marie-Dominique Galibert
1CNRS UMR 6061 Laboratoire de Génétique et Développement, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Rennes-1, Rennes Cedex, France.
Pigment Cell Research
|September 16, 2005
Summary
Upstream stimulating factors (USF), including USF-1 and USF-2, are crucial eukaryotic transcription factors regulating diverse gene networks. They play key roles in stress, immunity, metabolism, and UV-induced pigmentation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Upstream stimulating factors (USF), specifically USF-1 and USF-2, belong to the conserved basic-Helix-Loop-Helix-Leucine Zipper transcription factor family.
- These factors bind to E-box elements (CANNTG) found widely across eukaryotic genomes.
- USF proteins are ubiquitously expressed and involved in various transcriptional processes, including chromatin remodeling and pre-initiation complex interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the general characteristics of USF transcription factors.
- To elucidate the role of USF factors in diverse gene regulatory networks.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from cell lines.
- Examination of results from knockout mouse models.
Main Results:
- USF factors are identified as key regulators of numerous gene networks.
- These networks encompass stress and immune responses, cell cycle control, proliferation, and lipid/glucid metabolism.
- USF-1 is specifically highlighted as a critical UV-activated regulator in melanocytes, influencing pigmentation genes.
Conclusions:
- USF transcription factors are fundamental regulators in eukaryotes.
- They orchestrate complex biological processes, including metabolism and cellular responses.
- USF-1 has a significant role in UV-induced pigmentation pathways.
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