Overexpression of transcription factor Sp1 leads to gene expression perturbations and cell cycle inhibition.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The ubiquitous transcription factor Sp1 regulates the expression of a vast number of genes involved in many cellular functions ranging from differentiation to proliferation and apoptosis. Sp1 expression levels show a dramatic increase during transformation and this could play a critical role for tumour development or maintenance. Although Sp1 deregulation might be beneficial for tumour cells, its overexpression induces apoptosis of untransformed cells. Here we further characterised the functional and transcriptional responses of untransformed cells following Sp1 overexpression.

Methodology and principal findings

We made use of wild-type and DNA-binding-deficient Sp1 to demonstrate that the induction of apoptosis by Sp1 is dependent on its capacity to bind DNA. Gen

SUBMITTER: Deniaud E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2737146 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature