¹Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (I.M.P.), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 7, A-1030 Vienna, Austria

²Institute of Clinical Pathology, University Hospital, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland

Correspondence to: EF Wagner, Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (I.M.P.), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 7, A-1030 Vienna, Austria

Genetically modified mice have provided important insights into the biological functions of the dimeric transcription factor complex AP-1. Extensive analyses of mice and cells with genetically modified Fos or Jun proteins provide novel insights into the physiological functions of AP-1 proteins. Using knock-out strategies it was found that some components, such as c-Fos, FosB and JunD are dispensable, whereas others, like c-Jun, JunB and Fra-1 are essential in embryonic development and/or in the adult organism. Besides the specific roles of AP-1 proteins in developmental processes, we are beginning to obtain a better molecular understanding of the cell-context dependent function of AP-1 in cell proliferation and apoptosis, in bone biology as well as in multistep tumorigenesis. Oncogene (2001) 20, 2401-2412.

AP-1; Fos proteins; Jun proteins; development; bone biology; tumorigenesis