Abstract

Gene transcription plays a critical role in the differentiation of myeloid cells. However, there is no single, master regulator of all myeloid genes. Rather, myeloid gene transcription is regulated by the combinatorial effects of a limited number of key transcription factors. Sp1 is a powerful activator of gene transcription in many cell types. Although it is wildly expressed, Sp1 binds and activates the promoters of a large number of important myeloid genes. This presents the paradox of how a widely expressed transcription factor can regulate lineage-specific gene transcription. This review discusses the structure, function, and expression patterns of Sp1 and its related Sp family members. Illustrative examples of the tissue-specific regulation of myeloid target genes are presented. The roles of post-translational modifications of Sp1, alterations in target gene chromatin structure, and important cooperating transcription factors are discussed. Thus, Sp1 serves as a model of how a widely expressed transcription factor regulates the expression of tissue-specific genes.