The c-Jun proto-oncogene was first identified as the cellular homolog of the avian sarcoma virus v-Jun oncogene. The c-Jun protein along with c-Fos is a component of the AP-1 transcriptional complex. c-Jun can form either Jun/Jun homodimers or Jun/Fos heterodimers via the leucine repeats in both proteins. Homo- and heterodimers bind to the TGACTCA consensus sequence present in numerous promoters and initially identified as the phorbol ester tumor promoter response element (TRE). Two additional genes, Jun B and Jun D have been shown to be almost identical to c-Jun in their C-terminal regions, which are involved in dimerization and DNA binding, whereas their N-terminal domains, which are involved in ranscriptional activation, diverge. All three form heterodimers among themselves and with c-Fos and other members of the Fos gene family.
