In a previous report, we reported that the induction of GM-CSF gene in differentiated P19 cells results from the maturation of the transcriptional machinery. Here, we identified a cis-DNA element which confers the activation of GM-CSF gene in response to PMA/A23187 stimulation in differentiated state. Analysis of the 5'-flanking region between -113 and -60 revealed two elements responsible for promotion and one for inhibition, and the overall effects led to the activation of GM-CSF gene mainly through the sequence between -95 and -73. Using the oligonucleotide between -94 and -73 as a probe in gel retardation assays, we identified a DNA-binding protein, NF-GM-P19, the binding activity of which was induced after differentiation in response to PMA/A23187 stimulation. These results indicate that the induction of GM-CSF gene after differentiation results from the maturation of the transcriptional machinery which recognizes the sequence between -95 and -73.