Activating transcription factor,ATF, is a group ofbZIPtranscription factors, which act as homodimers or heterodimers with a range of other bZIP factors.[1] First, they have been described as members of theCREB/ATF family,[2] whereas it turned out later that some of them might be more similar toAP-1-like factors such asc-Jun orc-Fos.[3] In general, ATFs are known to respond to extracellular signals and this suggests an important role that they have in maintaining homeostasis. Some of these ATFs, such as ATF3, ATF4, and ATF6 are known to play a role in stress responses.[4] Another example of ATFs function would be ATFx that can suppress apoptosis.[5]
Genes includeATF1,ATF2,ATF3,ATF4,ATF5,ATF6,ATF7, ATFx.
