A factor capable of efficiently regulating expression of an endoplasmic
chaperone gene, a
nucleic acid encoding it, a complementary strand
nucleic acid thereof, a method for regulating expression of an
endoplasmic reticulum chaperone gene, and a method for expressing a foreign
gene is provided. The
endoplasmic reticulum stress
transcription factor is capable of regulating transcription-inducing activity, wherein the transcription-inducing activity is exhibited by an element having the
nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1 or an element having a
nucleotide sequence resulting from substitution of 1 to 3 bases with other bases in the
nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1. A method for controlling expression of an
endoplasmic reticulum chaperone, comprising expressing the factor; a method for expressing a
foreign protein, comprising positively regulating expression of an endoplasmic reticulum
chaperone gene by the method for controlling expression; and a
nucleic acid encoding activated form of ATF6, activated form of
CREB-RP, suppressive form of ATF6, or suppressive form of
CREB-RP, or the complementary strand thereto are also provided. It is expected to be applied to treatment or prophylaxis of cancers,
arteriosclerosis,
cystic fibrosis, ischemic diseases, wounds or ulcers.