MUC4 (mucin 4) is a membrane-bound mucin overexpressed in the early steps of oesophageal carcinogenesis and implicated in tumour progression. We previously showed that bile acids, main components of gastro-oesophageal reflux and tumour promoters, up-regulate MUC4 expression [Mariette, Perrais, Leteurtre, Jonckheere, Hemon, Pigny, Batra, Aubert, Triboulet and Van Seuningen (2004) Biochem. J. 377, 701-708]. HNF (hepato-cyte nuclear factor) 1α and HNF4α transcription factors are known to mediate bile acid effects, and we previously identified cis-elements for these factors in MUC4 distal promoter. Our aim was to demonstrate that these two transcription factors were directly involved in MUC4 activation by bile acids. MUC4, HNF1α and HNF4α expressions were evaluated by immunohistochem-istry in human oesophageal tissues. Our results indicate that MUC4, HNF1α and HNF4α were co-expressed in oesophageal metaplastic and adenocarcinomatous tissues. Studies at the mRNA, promoter and protein levels indicated that HNF1α regulates endogenous MUC4 expression by binding to two cognate cis-elements respectively located at − 3332/− 3327 and − 3040/ − 3028 in the distal promoter. We also showed by siRNA (small interfering RNA) approach, co-transfection and site-directed mut-agenesis that HNF1α mediates taurodeoxycholic and taurocheno-deoxycholic bile acid activation of endogenous MUC4 expression and transcription in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, these results describe a new mechanism of regulation of MUC4 expression by bile acids, in which HNF1α is a key mediator. These results bring new insights into MUC4 up-regulation in oesophageal carcinoma associated with bile reflux.