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Updated: Feb 14, 2026
Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome
Published on: June 15, 2016
TFCP2/TFCP2L1/UBP1 transcription factors in cancer
Grzegorz Kotarba1, Ewa Krzywinska1, Anna I Grabowska2
1Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Cell Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland.
Abstract:
The TFCP2/Grainyhead family of transcription factors is divided into two distinct subfamilies, one of which includes the Grainyhead-like 1-3 (GRHL1-3) proteins and the other consists of TFCP2 (synonyms: CP2, LSF, LBP-1c), TFCP2L1 (synonyms: CRTR-1, LBP-9) and UBP1 (synonyms: LBP-1a, NF2d9). Transcription factors from the TFCP2/TFCP2L1/UBP1 subfamily are involved in various aspects of cancer development. TFCP2 is a pro-oncogenic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer, may be important in cervical carcinogenesis and in colorectal cancer. TFCP2 can also act as a tumor suppressor, for example, it inhibits melanoma growth. Furthermore, TFCP2 is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and enhances angiogenesis. TFCP2L1 maintains pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells and was implicated in a wide variety of cancers, including clear cell renal cell carcinoma, breast cancer and thyroid cancer. Here we present a systematic review of current knowledge of this protein subfamily in the context of cancer. We also discuss potential challenges in investigating this family of transcription factors. These challenges include redundancies between these factors as well as their interactions with each other and their ability to modulate each other's activity.
Insights
The TFCP2/TFCP2L1/UBP1 transcription factor subfamily plays complex roles in cancer, acting as both a promoter and suppressor. Understanding their interactions is key to cancer research.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- The TFCP2/Grainyhead family has two subfamilies: GRHL1-3 and TFCP2/TFCP2L1/UBP1.
- The TFCP2/TFCP2L1/UBP1 subfamily is implicated in diverse cancer types and biological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review current knowledge of the TFCP2/TFCP2L1/UBP1 subfamily in cancer.
- To discuss challenges in studying these transcription factors.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Analysis of existing research on TFCP2, TFCP2L1, and UBP1 in cancer.
Main Results:
- TFCP2 acts as an oncogene in liver, pancreatic, and breast cancers, but a tumor suppressor in melanoma.
- TFCP2 is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis.
- TFCP2L1 is linked to clear cell renal cell carcinoma, breast, and thyroid cancers, and maintains stem cell pluripotency.
Conclusions:
- The TFCP2/TFCP2L1/UBP1 subfamily has multifaceted roles in cancer development.
- Investigating these factors is challenging due to redundancy and complex interactions.
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