Transcriptional regulation of type 11 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression in prostate cancer cells

► The 5′-flanking region of the HSD17B11 gene has promoter activity in PC cell lines. ► A GC box at −51 and a C/EBP binding site at −71 are essential for this activity. ► Sp1 and C/EBPα are recruited to the HSD17B11 promoter in PC cell lines. ► Sp1 and C/EBPα induce HSD17B11 transcription in PC cell lines. ► HSD17B11 regulation by Sp1 and C/EBPα is cell type specific.