Cell differentiation and development are highly regulated processes at the transcriptional level. One of the main transcription factors that regulate these processes is AP-2alpha, a cell-type specific protein required for vertebrate development and embryogenesis. AP-2alpha also regulates apoptosis and cell-cycle specific events by interacting with the oncogene c-Myc. In searching for novel AP-2alpha- interacting factors, using an affinity chromatography approach, we have observed that oncoprotein DEK interacts with AP-2alpha in vitro. The existence of an interaction between AP-2alpha and DEK in cellular cultures was demonstrated by expression of a tagged AP-2alpha form followed by immunodetection. By transient co-expression experiments using a reporter for APOE promoter activity we have found that DEK stimulates the transactivation activity of AP-2alpha over APOE promoter. Finally, electrophoretic mobility shift assays suggested that DEK enhances the DNA-binding activity of AP-2alpha. Our data suggest a novel cellular function of DEK as a transcriptional co-activator.