A new transcription factor family associated with human leukemias

The proteins known as the polyoma enhancer binding protein 2 or core-binding factor (PEBP2/CBF) are heterodimeric transcription factors that contain a DNA-binding subunit (CBF alpha), and a subunit that does not bind DNA independently (CBF beta). PEBP2 and CBF were identified independently as proteins that regulate transcription of viral and cellular enhancers, and also as proteins whose genes are disrupted by chromosomal abnormalities in human leukemias. This review traces the history of the discovery of the PEBP2 and CBF protein family and describes the biochemical properties of the normal and oncogenic forms of these proteins.