Activating transcription factor 1 (ATF1)

Activating transcription factor 1 (ATF1) is a cyclic AMP-dependent transcription factor that belongs to the ATF subfamily and basic-region leucine zipper (bZIP) family of transcription factors[1]. ATF1 influences cellular physiologic processes by regulating the expression of downstream target genes related to growth, survival, and other cellular activities[1]. The protein is phosphorylated at serine 63 in its kinase-inducible domain by various serine/threonine kinases, including cAMP-dependent protein kinase A, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase I/II, mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase, and cyclin-dependent kinase 3[1]. This phosphorylation enhances its transactivation and transcriptional activities and promotes cell transformation[1]. ATF1 can form homo- or heterodimers with other transcription factors like CREB and binds to cAMP response elements in target gene regulatory regions[5]. The protein plays a crucial role in early embryonic development, as mice lacking both ATF1 and CREB die before implantation due to developmental arrest[5]. ATF1 has been implicated in cancer development, particularly in nasopharyngeal carcinoma where its activity is regulated by the prolyl isomerase Pin1[3]. Chromosomal translocations involving ATF1 with FUS or EWSR1 generate chimeric proteins found in angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma and clear cell sarcoma[1]. The gene is located on chromosome 12 at position 12q13.12 and has been associated with colorectal cancer susceptibility in genome-wide association studies[4].

Other names

Cyclic AMP-dependent transcription factor ATF-1cAMP-dependent transcription factor ATF-1TREB36Protein TREB36EWS-ATF1FUS/ATF-1