Gene:
activating transcription factor 3
Gene ID:
195487
Symbol:
ATF3
Species:
1000
Description:
Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3)is a member of the mammalian activation transcription factor/cAMP responsive element-binding (CREB) protein family of transcription factors. It encodes a protein with a calculated molecular mass of 22 kD. ATF3 represses rather than activates transcription from promoters with ATF binding elements. An alternatively spliced form of ATF3 (ATF3 delta Zip) encodes a truncated form ATF3 protein lacking the leucine zipper protein-dimerization motif and does not bind to DNA. In contrast to ATF3, ATF3 delta Zip stimulates transcription presumably by sequestering inhibitory co-factors away from the promoter. It is possible that alternative splicing of the ATF3 gene may be physiologically important in the regulation of target genes.