Ets Homologous Factor (EHF)

EHF encodes a protein that belongs to an ETS transcription factor subfamily characterized by epithelial-specific expression (ESEs). The encoded protein acts as a transcriptional repressor and may be associated with asthma susceptibility. This protein may be involved in epithelial differentiation and carcinogenesis.Sequence analysis predicted that ESE3a encodes a 277-amino acid protein with a molecular mass of 32.3 kD, while ESE3b encodes a 300-amino acid protein with a molecular mass of 34.9 kD. The C-terminal ETS domain of ESE3 is 84% and 65% identical to the ETS domains of ESE1 and ESE2 (ELF5), respectively. Northern blot analysis detected a 5.9-kb ESE3 transcript in pancreas and prostate, with lower levels detected in kidney and colon.