Viral Appropriation of Specificity Protein 1 (Sp1): The Role of Sp1 in Human Retro- and DNA Viruses in Promoter Activation and Beyond

Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) is a highly ubiquitous transcription factor and one employed by numerous viruses to complete their life cycles. In this review, we start by summarizing the relationships between Sp1 function, DNA binding, and structural motifs. We then describe the role Sp1 plays in trans...

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Main Authors: Kira Sviderskaia, Vanessa Meier-Stephenson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Viruses
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/295
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author Kira Sviderskaia
Vanessa Meier-Stephenson
author_facet Kira Sviderskaia
Vanessa Meier-Stephenson
author_sort Kira Sviderskaia
collection DOAJ
description Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) is a highly ubiquitous transcription factor and one employed by numerous viruses to complete their life cycles. In this review, we start by summarizing the relationships between Sp1 function, DNA binding, and structural motifs. We then describe the role Sp1 plays in transcriptional activation of seven viral families, composed of human retro- and DNA viruses, with a focus on key promoter regions. Additionally, we discuss pathways in common across multiple viruses, highlighting the importance of the cell regulatory role of Sp1. We also describe Sp1-related epigenetic and protein post-translational modifications during viral infection and how they relate to Sp1 binding. Finally, with these insights in mind, we comment on the potential for Sp1-targeting therapies, such as repurposing drugs currently in use in the anti-cancer realm, and what limitations such agents would have as antivirals.
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spelling doaj-art-44fceaf54cc846a0b8a5bf7bf396630c2025-08-20T01:50:02ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-02-0117329510.3390/v17030295Viral Appropriation of Specificity Protein 1 (Sp1): The Role of Sp1 in Human Retro- and DNA Viruses in Promoter Activation and BeyondKira Sviderskaia0Vanessa Meier-Stephenson1Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, CanadaDepartment of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, CanadaSpecificity protein 1 (Sp1) is a highly ubiquitous transcription factor and one employed by numerous viruses to complete their life cycles. In this review, we start by summarizing the relationships between Sp1 function, DNA binding, and structural motifs. We then describe the role Sp1 plays in transcriptional activation of seven viral families, composed of human retro- and DNA viruses, with a focus on key promoter regions. Additionally, we discuss pathways in common across multiple viruses, highlighting the importance of the cell regulatory role of Sp1. We also describe Sp1-related epigenetic and protein post-translational modifications during viral infection and how they relate to Sp1 binding. Finally, with these insights in mind, we comment on the potential for Sp1-targeting therapies, such as repurposing drugs currently in use in the anti-cancer realm, and what limitations such agents would have as antivirals.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/295specificity protein 1 (Sp1)transcription factorviral pathogenesisretrovirusesDNA viruseshost–viral interactions
spellingShingle Kira Sviderskaia
Vanessa Meier-Stephenson
Viral Appropriation of Specificity Protein 1 (Sp1): The Role of Sp1 in Human Retro- and DNA Viruses in Promoter Activation and Beyond
Viruses
specificity protein 1 (Sp1)
transcription factor
viral pathogenesis
retroviruses
DNA viruses
host–viral interactions
title Viral Appropriation of Specificity Protein 1 (Sp1): The Role of Sp1 in Human Retro- and DNA Viruses in Promoter Activation and Beyond
title_full Viral Appropriation of Specificity Protein 1 (Sp1): The Role of Sp1 in Human Retro- and DNA Viruses in Promoter Activation and Beyond
title_fullStr Viral Appropriation of Specificity Protein 1 (Sp1): The Role of Sp1 in Human Retro- and DNA Viruses in Promoter Activation and Beyond
title_full_unstemmed Viral Appropriation of Specificity Protein 1 (Sp1): The Role of Sp1 in Human Retro- and DNA Viruses in Promoter Activation and Beyond
title_short Viral Appropriation of Specificity Protein 1 (Sp1): The Role of Sp1 in Human Retro- and DNA Viruses in Promoter Activation and Beyond
title_sort viral appropriation of specificity protein 1 sp1 the role of sp1 in human retro and dna viruses in promoter activation and beyond
topic specificity protein 1 (Sp1)
transcription factor
viral pathogenesis
retroviruses
DNA viruses
host–viral interactions
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/295
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