EGR-1 belongs to the EGR family of C2H2-type zinc finger proteins. It is a nuclear protein and functions as a transcriptional regulator. EGR-1 recognizes and binds to the DNA sequence 5'-CGCCCCCGC-3'(EGR-site).The products of target genes it activates are required for differentiation and mitogenesis. Studies suggest this is a tumor suppressor gene. EGR-1 has a distinct pattern of expression in the brain, and its induction has been shown to be associated with neuronal activity. Several studies suggest it has a role in neuronal plasticity. EGR-1 has also been found to regulate the expression of synaptobrevin II (a protein important for synaptic exocytosis).