The Ets family of
transcription factors characterized by an evolutionarily-conserved
DNA-binding domain regulates expression of a variety of viral and cellular genes by binding to a
purine-rich GGAA/T core sequence in cooperation with other transcriptional factors and co-factors. Most Ets family
proteins are nuclear targets for activation of Ras-MAP kinase signaling pathway and some of them affect proliferation of cells by regulating the immediate early response genes and other growth-related genes. Some of them also regulate apoptosis-related genes. Several Ets family
proteins are preferentially expressed in specific cell lineages and are involved in their development and differentiation by increasing the enhancer or promoter activities of the genes encoding
growth factor receptors and
integrin families specific for the cell lineages. Many Ets family
proteins also modulate gene expression through
protein-
protein interactions with other cellular partners. Deregulated expression or formation of chimeric fusion
proteins of Ets family due to proviral insertion or chromosome translocation is associated with
leukemias and specific types of solid
tumors. Several Ets family
proteins also participate in
malignancy of
tumor cells including invasion and
metastasis by activating the transcription of several
protease genes and angiogenesis-related genes.