Regulation of Ets function by protein-protein interactions

Ets proteins are a family of transcription factors that share an 85 amino a cid conserved DNA binding domain, the ETS domain. Over 25 mammalian Ets fam ily members control important biological processes, including cellular prol iferation, differentiation, lymphocyte development and activation, transfor mation and apoptosis by recognizing the GGA core motif in the promoter or e nhancer of their target genes, Protein-protein interactions regulates DNA b inding, subcellular localization, target gene selection and transcriptional activity of Ets proteins. Combinatorial control is a characteristic proper ty of Ets family members, involving interaction between Ets and other key t ranscriptional factors such as AP-1, NF kappaB and Pax family members. Spec ific domains of Ets proteins interact with many protein motifs such as bHLH , bZipper and Paired domain. Such interactions coordinate cellular processe s in response to diverse signals including cytokines, growth factors, antig en and cellular stresses.