Sp1

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'Gene expression within an organism is controlled by the activity of transcription factors. These proteins bind to the DNA region immediately before a gene (the promoter) and act as a molecular switch to switch on (activate) or switch off (repress) gene activity.' Sp1 is a human transcription factor involved in gene expression in the early development of an organism. The protein is 785 amino acids long, with a molecular weight of 80 kDA. The full protein sequence can be found banked in the NCBI homepage, with the accession number NP_612482. The SP1 transcription factor contains a zinc finger protein motif, by which it binds directly to DNA and enhances gene transcription. Its zinc fingers are of the Cys₂/His₂ type and binds the consensus sequence 5'-(G/T)GGGCGG(G/A)(G/A)(C/T)-3' (GC box element). It was discovered in 1983 and has since been modified to form Sp1C.

In the SV40 virus, Sp1 binds to the GC boxes in the regulatory region(RR) of the genome.

[edit] References

Dreier, B., R. R. Beerli, D. J. Segal, J. D. Flippin and C. F. Barbas, 3rd (2001). "Development of zinc finger domains for recognition of the 5'-ANN-3' family of DNA sequences and their use in the construction of artificial transcription factors." J. Biol. Chem. 276(31): 29466-78.