Identification of a novel gata binding activity of cyclin D1 promoter during Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)-induced hepatocyte proliferation and after partial hepatectomy

Abstract

Background: GATA factors contain zinc finger motifs and act by binding to the consensus DNA sequence (A/T) GATA (A/G). GATA factors have been shown to play critical roles in gene regulation of cell proliferation through the interaction with other transcription factors such as serum response factor (SRF). Following 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) in the rat, we have observed increased GATA 4 and SRF nuclear protein expression at 24 hours, the known peak of DNA synthesis. We have previously reported increased SRF binding to the Cyclin D1 promoter in hepatocytes stimulated to proliferate with EGF and in regenerating liver after PH.