Human Chromosomal Localization, Tissue/Tumor Expression, and Regulatory Function of the etsFamily Gene EHF

Etsfactors are members of an ancient multigene family of transcription factors including oncoproteins and possibly tumor suppressors. We previously characterized a novel divergent etsgene, Ehf(ets homologous factor) in mice. Here we report the cDNA sequence, chromosomal location, and tissue/tumor expression patterns of the human EHFgene and the regulatory activity of the EHF protein. EHFmaps to 11p12, which is deleted in many prostate, breast, and lung carcinomas and is a hot spot for inherited deletion- or amplification-associated developmental defects. EHFis differentially expressed in normal tissues and carcinomas and between tumor stages and is most highly expressed in the organs known to form carcinomas upon 11p12 deletion. EHF protein represses the ETS-2 induced activity of both stromelysin-1 and collagenase-1 promoters. These data suggest that EHFmay contribute to human development and carcinogenesis and is a candidate for the 11p12 tumor suppressor gene.