| Literature References | 1. WILLIAMS, T. AND TJIAN, R.
Analysis of the DNA-binding and activation properties of the human
transcription factor AP-2.
GENES DEV. 5 670-682 (1991).
2. WILLIAMS, T. AND TJIAN, R.
Characterization of a dimerization motif in AP-2 and its function in
heterologous DNA-binding proteins.
SCIENCE 251 1067-1071 (1991).
3. HILGER-EVERSHEIM, K., MOSER, M., SCHORLE, H. AND BUETTNER, R.
Regulation roles of AP-2 transcription factors in vertebrate development,
apoptosis and cell-cycle control,
GENE 260 1-12 (2000).
4. JEAN, D., GERSHENWALD, J., HUANG, S., LUCA, M., HUDSON, M., TAINSKY, M.
AND BAR-ELI, M.
Loss of AP-2 results in up-regulation of MCAM/MUC18 and an increase in tumor
growth and metastasis of human melanoma cells.
J.BIOL.CHEM. 273 16501-16508 (1998).
5. ANTTILA, M., KELLOKOSKI, J., MOISIO, K., MITCHELL, P., SAARIKOSKI, S.,
SYRJANEN, K. AND KOSMA, V.
Expression of transcription factor AP-2alpha predicts survival in epithelial
ovarian cancer.
BR.J.CANCER 82 1974-1983 (2000).
6. CHAZAUD, C., OULAD-ABDELGHANI, M., BOUILLET, P., DECIMO, D., CHAMBON, P.
AND DOLLE, P.
AP-2.2, a novel gene related to AP-2, is expressed in the forebrain, limbs
and face during mouse embryogenesis.
MECH.DEV. 54 83-94 (1996).
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| Documentation | Activator protein-2 (AP-2) transcription factors constitute a family of
closely related and evolutionarily conserved proteins that bind to the DNA
consensus sequence GCCNNNGGC and stimulate target gene transcription [1,2].
Four different isoforms of AP-2 have been identifed in mammals, termed AP-2
alpha, beta, gamma and delta. Each family member shares a common structure,
possessing a proline/glutamine-rich domain in the N-terminal region, which
is responsible for transcriptional activation [1], and a helix-span-helix
domain in the C-terminal region, which mediates dimerisation and site-
specific DNA binding [2].
The AP-2 family have been shown to be critical regulators of gene expression
during embryogenesis. They regulate the development of facial prominence and
limb buds, and are essential for cranial closure and development of the lens
[3]; they have also been implicated in tumorigenesis. AP-2 protein
expression levels have been found to affect cell transformation, tumour
growth and metastasis, and may predict survival in some types of cancer [4,5].
AP-2 gamma was originally isolated from murine carcinoma cells [6]. The
gene was found to be expressed in several embryonic areas whose development
can be affected by retinoids, such as the forebrain, face and limb buds [6].
A human homologue has also been identified. The protein was initially termed
AP-2.2, but has since been reclassified as AP-2 gamma.
AP2CTNSCPFCT is a 4-element fingerprint that provides a signature for the
transcription factor AP-2 gamma proteins. The fingerprint was derived from
an initial alignment of 3 sequences: the motifs were drawn from conserved
regions in the N-terminal half of the alignment, focusing on those sections
which characterise AP-2 gamma but distinguish it from other family members -
motifs 1 and 2 lie in the transcriptional activation domain; and motifs 3
and 4 reside between the transcriptional activation domain and the
dimerisation domain. A single iteration on SPTR40_20f was required to reach
convergence, no further sequences being identified beyond the starting set.
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