Target Overview – Jun/AP-1 Transcription Complex

Activator protein 1 (AP-1) is a transcription complex comprised of Fos and Jun protein subunits, and is involved in a wide range of cellular processes including proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. AP-1 is primarily regulated at the level of both Jun and Fos gene transcription by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways and by post-translational modification via phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. Dysregulation of the AP-1 complex drives the expression of oncogenic factors such as cyclin D, E2F and DP1, and has been observed in breast, ovarian, liver, skin, bone, lung, endometrial, and colorectal tumors, as well as many hematologic malignancies. Genetic inactivation of AP-1 in tumors inhibits tumor cell growth in vitro.