Transcriptional Activation by Nur77, a Growth Factor-lnducible Member of the Steroid Hormone Receptor Superfamily

nur77 is a growth factor-inducible immediate early gene that encodes a protein with extensive sequence homology to members of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily. By analogy to steroid receptors, the Nur77 protein is thought to act as a ligand-dependent transcription factor that regulates the genomic response to growth factors. Using chimeric gene constructs, we show that Nur77 can indeed function as a transcription activator. Furthermore, Nur77 chimeras can activate transcription in the absence of an exogenously added ligand.