Cell differentiation and development are highly regulated processes at the transcriptional level. One of the main transcription factors that regulate these processes is AP-2α, a cell-type specific protein required for vertebrate development and embryo-genesis. AP-2α also regulates apoptosis and cell-cycle specific events by interacting with the oncogene c-Myc. In searching for novel AP-2α-interacting factors, using an affinity chromato-graphy approach, we have observed that oncoprotein DEK interacts with AP-2α in vitro. The existence of an interaction between AP-2α and DEK in cellular cultures was demonstrated by expression of a tagged AP-2α form followed by immunodetection. By transient co-expression experiments using a reporter for APOE promoter activity we have found that DEK stimulates the transactivation activity of AP-2α over APOE promoter. Finally, electrophoretic mobility shift assays suggested that DEK enhances the DNA-binding activity of AP-2α. Our data suggest a novel cellular function of DEK as a transcriptional co-activator.
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