ISOLATION OF CDNA-ENCODING THE HUMAN NF-E2 PROTEIN

The human homolog of mouse NF-E2 was isolated from the K562 cell line and found to encode a member of the basic leucine-zipper family of DNA -binding regulatory proteins. The deduced amino acid sequence of the m ouse and human proteins exhibited near identity. Comparison to the rel ated protein, Nrf1, revealed significant homologies at isolated region s, particularly within the basic domain, suggesting that NF-E2 and Nrf 1 are members of a distinct subfamily of basic leucine-zipper proteins that share similar DNA-binding properties. High levels of human NF-E2 mRNA were observed in human erythroleukemic cell lines examined. Exte nsive survey of human tissue samples found NF-E2 expression not limite d to erythropoeitic organs. Expression in the colon and testis suggest s that NF-E2 may participate in the regulation of genes other than glo bin.