Several members of the Ets gene family encode sequence-specific DNA binding proteins that recognize DNA sequences with a centrally located 5'-GGAA-3' element.
All of the Ets proteins recognize the same central core sequence but each protein interacts with unique sequences that flank this core.
ER81 (also designated ETV1) binds the motif 5'-CGGAA/T-3'.
ER81 is highly expressed in brain, testis, lung and heart.
ER81 is also moderately expressed in spleen, pancreas, colon and small intestine.
During development, ER81 displays a unique expression patterns which suggests that this transcriptional factor might play an important role in organogenesis.