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Activating transcription factor 4

Kurosh Ameri1, Adrian L Harris

  • 1University of Stanford School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, CCSR-South, 269 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. kameri@stanford.edu

The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology
|May 1, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), a stress-responsive protein, regulates genes crucial for cell functions and is upregulated in cancer. Its role in tumor progression suggests potential as a cancer therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Stress Response
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is a transcription factor in the ATF/CREB family, binding to cAMP-responsive elements (CRE).
  • ATF4 is activated by various stress signals like hypoxia, ER stress, and amino acid deprivation.
  • Its expression is tightly regulated at transcriptional, translational (via PERK/eIF2alpha), and post-translational levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the multifaceted roles of ATF4 in cellular processes.
  • To investigate the significance of ATF4 in cancer progression.
  • To evaluate ATF4 as a potential therapeutic target in oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on ATF4 regulation and function.
  • Analysis of transgenic studies demonstrating ATF4 involvement in development and physiology.
  • Examination of ATF4 expression patterns in cancer contexts.

Main Results:

  • ATF4 regulates genes involved in oxidative stress, amino acid synthesis, differentiation, metastasis, and angiogenesis.
  • Transgenic studies link ATF4 to hematopoiesis, development, fertility, proliferation, and memory.
  • ATF4 expression is elevated in various cancers.

Conclusions:

  • ATF4 plays a critical role in cellular responses to stress and impacts diverse physiological processes.
  • Its upregulation in cancer and regulation of pro-tumorigenic pathways highlight its oncogenic relevance.
  • ATF4 represents a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

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