Transcription factor Sp1 has been implicated in the expression of many genes. Moreover, it has been suggested that Sp1 is linked to the maintenance of methylation-free CpG islands, the cell cycle, and the formation of active chromatin structures. We have inactivated the mouse Sp1 gene. Sp1-/- embryos are retarded in development, show a broad range of abnormalities, and die around day 11 of gestation. In Sp1-/- embryos, the expression of many putative target genes, including cell cycle-regulated genes, is not affected, CpG islands remain methylation free, and active chromatin is formed at the globin loci. However, the expression of the methyl-CpG-binding protein MeCP2 is greatly reduced in Sp1-/- embryos. MeCP2 is thought to be required for the maintenance of differentiated cells. We suggest that Sp1 is an important regulator of this process.

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doi.org/10.1016/S0092-8674(00)80243-3, hdl.handle.net/1765/2544
Cell
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Marin, M., Karis, A., Visser, P., Grosveld, F., & Philipsen, S. (1997). Transcription factor Sp1 is essential for early embryonic development but dispensable for cell growth and differentiation. Cell, 89(4), 619–628. doi:10.1016/S0092-8674(00)80243-3