Egr family member proteins are involved in the activation of the cathepsin L gene in v-src-transformed cells.

Both the protein and mRNA levels of cathepsin L in SR-3Y1-2, v-src-transformed 3Y1 cell lines were higher than in 3Y1 cells. Results of CAT assays suggested that the v-src responsible region in the cathepsin L gene localizes to 300 bp in the 5'-upstream region and 60 bp in the first exon. DNaseI footprinting analyses showed that transcription factors bind to the region from 29bp to 55bp from the transcription start site. This region contains a CAAT-box and a 5'-GGCGGGGGCGG-3' sequence containing two repeat copies of consensus Sp-1 binding sites, overlapping a consensus Egr family binding site. DNA band shift assays showed that Sp-1 and NF-1 binding proteins bind to this region in 3Y1 cells while Egr family protein binds in SR-3Y1-2 cells. These results suggest that Egr family proteins are involved in the activation of the cathepsin L gene in SR-3Y1-2 cells. Copyright 1997 Academic Press.