TTF-1 [thyroid transcription factor-1; also known as Nkx2.1, T/EBP (thyroid-specific-enhancer-binding protein) or TITF1] is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor essential for the morphogenesis and differentiation of the thyroid, lung and ventral forebrain. TTF-1 controls the expression of select genes in the thyroid, lung and the central nervous system. In the lung, TTF-1 controls the expression of surfactant proteins that are essential for lung stability and lung host defence. Human TTF-1 is encoded by a single gene located on chromosome 14 and is organized into two/three exons and one/two introns. Multiple transcription start sites and alternative splicing produce mRNAs with heterogeneity at the 5′ end. The 3′ end of the TTF-1 mRNA is characterized by a rather long untranslated region. The amino acid sequences of TTF-1 from human, rat, mouse and other species are very similar, indicating a high degree of sequence conservation. TTF-1 promoter activity is maintained by the combinatorial or co-operative actions of HNF-3 [hepatocyte nuclear factor-3; also known as FOXA (forkhead box A)], Sp (specificity protein) 1, Sp3, GATA-6 and HOXB3 (homeobox B3) transcription factors. There is limited information on the regulation of TTF-1 gene expression by hormones, cytokines and other biological agents. Glucocorticoids, cAMP and TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) have stimulatory effects on TTF-1 expression, whereas TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor-α) and ceramide have inhibitory effects on TTF-1 DNA-binding activity in lung cells. Haplo-insufficiency of TTF-1 in humans causes hypothyroidism, respiratory dysfunction and recurring pulmonary infections, underlining the importance of optimal TTF-1 levels for the maintenance of thyroid and lung function. Recent studies have implicated TTF-1 as a lineage-specific proto-oncogene for lung cancer.
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January 2009
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Review Article|
November 28 2008
Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1/Nkx2.1/TITF1) gene regulation in the lung
Vijay Boggaram
1Department of Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, 11937 US Highway 271, Tyler, TX 75708-3154, U.S.A.
Correspondence: Dr Vijay Boggaram (email vijay.boggaram@uthct.edu).
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Clin Sci (Lond) (2009) 116 (1): 27–35.
Article history
Received:
February 29 2008
Revision Received:
May 01 2008
Accepted:
May 19 2008
Citation
Vijay Boggaram; Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1/Nkx2.1/TITF1) gene regulation in the lung. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 January 2009; 116 (1): 27–35. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20080068
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