STRUCTURE-FUNCTION-RELATIONSHIPS OF THE PEA3 GROUP OF ETS-RELATED TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS

The PEA3 group of transcription factors belongs to the Ets family and is composed of PEA3, ERM, and ER81, which are more than 95% identical within the DNA-binding domain-the ETS domain-and which demonstrate 50% aa identity overall. We present here a review of the current knowledg e of these transcription factors, which possess functional domains res ponsible for DNA-binding, DNA-binding inhibition, and transactivation. Recent data suggest that these factors are targets for signaling casc ades, such as the Res-dependent ones, and thus may contribute first to the nuclear response to cell stimulation and second to Res-induced ce ll transformation. The expression of the PEA3 group members in numerou s developing murine organs, and, especially, in epithelial-mesenchymal interaction events, suggests a key role in murine organogenesis. More over, their expression in certain breast cancer cells suggests a possi ble involvement of these genes in the appearance, progression, and inv asion of malignant cells. (C) 1997 Academic Press.