Sp1 Explained

See also SP1.

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 81 kDA^[1]. 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, which has a zinc finger protein DNA binding domain.

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

Further Reading

• Dreier B, Beerli R, Segal D, Flippin J, Barbas C. 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. 2001. 11340073.

Notes and References

1. See UniProtKB entry