CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs) are a family of transcription factors that are critical for cellular differentiation, terminal function, and inflammatory response. Six members of the family have been characterized (C/EBPα, β, δ, γ, ε, and ζ). Phosphorylation of C/EBPα at Thr222, Thr226, and Ser230 by GSK-3 seems to be required for adipogenesis.C/EBPα regulates gene expression in a variety of tissues including liver, adipose, lung and intestine. C/EBPα is a basic region/leucine zipper transcription factor selectively expressed during the differentiation of liver, adipose tissue, blood cells and the endocrine pancreas. C/EBPα functions as an important transcription factor that regulates different genes, including prolactin gene expression.
