
-   MTF-1: metal response element binding transcription factor (MTF-1) is activated by Zinc and binds the metal responsive element (MRE) that exists in the upstream region of the MT-1 gene, and thereby boost their transcription [PMID: 8026472]. The transcription factors MTF-1 and upstream stimulatory factor-1 (USF1) cooperate to regulate mouse metallothionein-I expression in response to the essential metal zinc in visceral endoderm cells during early development. MTF-1 is essential for upregulation of MT-I gene expression in visceral endoderm cells and that optimal expression also involves interactions of the basic helix-loop-helix upstream USF1 with an E-box1-containing sequence at -223 bp in the MT-I promoter [PMID: 11230134].
-   NRF1: Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1 (Nrf1) is a member of the vertebrate Cap'n'Collar (CNC) transcription factor family. Nrf1 has been shown to bind the antioxidant response element (ARE) of the regulatory region of MT1 and regulate its expression [PMID: 18826952].
-   Nuclear factor-1 (NF1) and metal transcription factor-1 (MTF-1) synergistically activate the mouse metallothionein-1 gene in response to metal ions [PMID: 18230604].
-   MT-1s genes are epigenetically suppressed by the activity of PU.1, a hematopoietic master transcription factor, predominantly expressed in immature myeloid cells and B cells. There were negative correlations between the mRNA expression of PU.1 and the mRNA expression of the MT-1s in 43 primary specimens from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) [PMID: 20139074].
