CLONING OF A NOVEL HUMAN ELF-1-RELATED ETS TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR, ELFR, ITS CHARACTERIZATION AND CHROMOSOMAL ASSIGNMENT RELATIVE TO ELF-1

The ETS gene family encodes a group of proteins that function as trans cription factors under physiological conditions and, if aberrantly exp ressed, can lead to cellular transformation. ETS transcription factors are characterized by a unique conserved DNA binding domain. A subset of these proteins is rearranged with EWS in Ewing tumors (ET). We rece ntly described a spectrum of ETS genes coexpressed with EWS-FLII in an ET cell line to define proteins that potentially compete in target si te selection. We now report on the cloning and characterization of a n ovel ETS family member, ELFR, displaying 92% homology to ELF-1 in its DNA binding domain while diverging in the rest of the protein. ELFR ex pression was found in a very tissue restricted pattern with the highes t abundancy in placenta. We also report the chromosomal assignment of ELFR and ELF-1 to Xq26 and 13q13, respectively, by means of fluorescen ce in-situ hybridization (FISH). (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.