Human chromosomal localization, tissue/tumor expression, and regulatory function of the ets family gene EHF

Ets factors are members of an ancient multigene family of transcription fac tors including oncoproteins and possibly tumor suppressors, We previously c haracterized a novel divergent ets gene, Ehf lets homologous factor) in mic e. Here we report the cDNA sequence, chromosomal location, and tissue/tumor expression patterns of the human EHF gene and the regulatory activity of t he EHF protein. EHF maps to 11p12, which is deleted in many prostate, breas t, and lung carcinomas and is a hot spot for inherited deletion- or amplifi cation-associated developmental defects. EHF is differentially expressed in normal tissues and carcinomas and between tumor stages and is most highly expressed in the organs known to form carcinomas upon 11p12 deletion. EHF p rotein represses the ETS-S induced activity of both stromelysin-1 and colla genase-1 promoters. These data suggest that EHF may contribute to human dev elopment and carcinogenesis and is a candidate for the 11p12 tumor suppress or gene, (C) 1999 Academic Press.