This review issue of ONCOGENE is unique in that it has two important functi
ons: To remember Takis S Papas, a year after his unexpected and sudden deat
h, and to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current status of Ets bio
logy. As exemplified by the review articles in this issue of ONCOGENE, the
Ets field has come a long way since the discovery of Ets1 as a virally tran
sduced oncogene over 15 years ago. We have moved from studies directed towa
rds understanding a limited number of family members to a more complex netw
ork of nearly 30 mammalian Ets transcription factors. Animal model systems
from C. elegans, Drosophila, Xenopus, Birds and mice are rapidly being gene
rated to allow for a more mechanistic understanding of the family, Already,
functions predicted from expression analysis of specific Ets genes are beg
inning to be validated by elegant gain and loss of function studies. Dysreg
ulated Ets function is associated with human disease. In addition to afford
ing diagnostic tools, Ets factors and the genes they control provide unique
therapeutic tools. Furthermore, novel therapeutic approaches are likely to
be developed, as we better define mechanisms that modulate Ets function. W
e now wish to highlight Takis' accomplishments and offer some personal reme
mbrances.