Undifferentiated Embryonic Cell Transcription Factor 1 (UTF1)

The cDNA encodes a 341-amino acid polypeptide that is 64% identical to mouse UTF1. The sequence contains 2 domains, one at the N terminus and the other at the C terminus, that are highly conserved between mouse and human sequences. The C-terminal conserved domain contains a leucine zipper motif. Southern blot and genomic analyses revealed that the gene exists in single copy and that no UTF1-related gene exists in the human genome.

Phosphatase treatment followed by Western blot analysis indicated that UTF1 is partially phosphorylated. In vitro assays showed that UTF1 boosts transcription through binding to the transcription factor ATF2 and also binds to the TATA-binding protein-containing complex (TFIID).