Human chromosomal localization, tissue/tumor expression, and regulatory function of the ets family gene EHF

Ets factors are members of an ancient multigene family of transcription factors including oncoproteins and possibly tumor suppressors. We previously characterized a novel divergent ets gene, Ehf (ets homologous factor) in mice. Here we report the cDNA sequence, chromosomal location, and tissue/tumor expression patterns of the human EHF gene and the regulatory activity of the EHF protein. EHF maps 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. EHF is 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 EHF may contribute to human development and carcinogenesis and is a candidate for the 11p12 tumor suppressor gene.