Activation of ATF6 and an ATF6 DNA binding site by the endoplasmic reticulum stress response.

ATF6 is a member of the basic-leucine zipper family of transcription factors. It contains a transmembrane domain and is located in membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum. ATF6 has been implicated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response pathway since it can activate expression of GRP78 and other genes induced by the ER stress response.

Epidermal growth factor induction of the c-jun promoter by a Rac pathway.

The c-jun proto-oncogene encodes a transcription factor which is activated by mitogens both transcriptionally and by phosphorylation by Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). We have investigated the cellular signalling pathways involved in epidermal growth factor (EGF) induction of the c-jun promoter. We find that two sequence elements, which bind ATF1 and MEF2D transcription factors, are required in HeLa cells, although they are not sufficient for maximal induction.

Promoter region of the human gene coding for beta-chain of C4b binding protein. Hepatocyte nuclear factor-3 and nuclear factor-I/CTF transcription factors are required for efficient expression of C4BPB in HepG2 cells.

Differential expression of the human genes coding for the alpha and beta polypeptides of the human C component C4b binding protein (C4BP) modulates the levels of C4BP molecules containing C4BP beta polypeptides, providing a mechanism to avoid the potential harmful effects of elevated concentrations of C4BP beta in plasma. To understand how the expression of the C4BPB gene is controlled, we have examined, in the major promoter of the human C4BP B gene, potential regulatory elements. A region from nucleotide -126 to +25 was able to drive high expression of a reporter gene in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2.

Expression of the human gene coding for the alpha-chain of C4b-binding protein, C4BPA, is controlled by an HNF1-dependent hepatic-specific promoter.

C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is an abundant oligomeric plasma glycoprotein which controls the activation of the complement cascade through the classical pathway. In humans, the majority form of C4BP is composed of seven alpha-chains and one beta-chain, covalently linked by their C-termini. C4BP is mainly expressed in the liver.