The PA promoter in the human uracil-DNA glycosylase gene (UNG) directs expression of the nuclear form (UNG2) of UNG proteins. Using a combination of promoter deletion and mutation analyses, and transient transfection of HeLa cells, we show that repressor and derepressor activities are contained within the region of DNA marked by PA. Footprinting analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assays of PA and putative AP-2 binding regions with HeLa cell nuclear extract and recombinant AP-2alpha protein indicate that AP-2 transcription factors are central in the regulated expression of UNG2 mRNA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation with AP-2 antibody demonstrated that endogenous AP-2 binds to the PA promoter in vivo. Overexpression of AP-2alpha, -beta or -gamma all stimulated expression from a PA-luciferase reporter gene construct approximately 3- to 4-fold. Interestingly, an N-terminally truncated AP-2alpha, lacking the activation domain but retaining the DNA binding and dimerization domains, stimulated PA to a level approaching that of full-length AP-2, suggesting that AP-2 overexpression stimulates PA activity by a mechanism involving derepression rather than activation, possibly by neutralizing an inhibitory effect of endogenous AP-2 or AP-2-like factors.