Early growth response 1 (EGR1) and Early growth response 2 (EGR2 (Krox20)) belong to the EGR family of C2H2-type zinc-finger proteins, which function as a transcriptional regulators.

EGR1 activates a wide variety of different targets, which are required for cell proliferation, adhesion, development, immune response and many other processes [1].

EGR1 may activate transcription of EGR2 (Krox20) [2]. EGR2 (Krox20) and Cystatin C, regulated by EGR1, drive developmental processes [3], [4], [5].

EGR1 may modulate cell proliferation by regulating the transcription of Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM) [6], [7]. Actin, gamma 2, smooth muscle, enteric (ACTG2) is negatively regulated by EGR1 [8]. ACTG2 participates in muscle contraction [9].

EGR1 may control cytoskeleton remodeling by regulating Spectrin, alpha, non-erythrocytic 1 (Alpha-fodrin) and 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3' phosphodiesterase (CNP1) [5], [10], [11], [12]. Also it may modulate cell adhesion by regulating such targets, as Hyaluronan synthases 1, 2, 3 (HAS1, HAS2, HAS3), Mucin 16, cell surface associated (Mucin 16) and CD68 molecule (CD68) [11], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17].

The EGR1 target Eosinophil peroxidase (PERE) regulates the response to oxidative stress [18], [19]. EGR1 transcriptional targets Sialophorin (CD43) and CD69 molecule (CD69) participate in the immune response [20], [21], [22], [23].

In addition, EGR1 activates transcription of Glucagon (Proglucagon) regulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis [24], [25].

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