SNAI2 : snail family transcriptional repressor 2
Description
The SNAI2 (snail family transcriptional repressor 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 8.
The SNAI2 gene (often called SLUG) provides instructions for making a protein called snail 2. Snail 2 belongs to the snail protein family, which plays a role in the formation of tissues during embryonic development. The snail 2 protein is also found in most adult tissues, so it probably helps maintain the normal function of cells after birth. To carry out these roles, snail 2 attaches to critical regions of DNA and helps control the activity of particular genes. On the basis of this action, the protein is called a transcription factor. Research indicates that the snail 2 protein is required during embryonic growth for the development of cells called neural crest cells. Neural crest cells migrate from the developing spinal cord to specific regions in the embryo and give rise to many tissues and cell types, including some nerve tissue and pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce the pigment melanin, which contributes to hair, eye, and skin color. Melanocytes are also found in certain regions of the brain and inner ear. The snail 2 protein probably plays a role in the formation and survival of melanocytes.
SNAI2 is a transcriptional repressor that modulates both activator-dependent and basal transcription. It is involved in the generation and migration of neural crest cells. SNAI2 plays a role in mediating RAF1-induced transcriptional repression of the TJ protein, occludin (OCLN), and subsequent oncogenic transformation of epithelial cells. It represses BRCA2 expression by binding to its E2-box-containing silencer and recruiting CTBP1 and HDAC1 in breast cells. In epidermal keratinocytes, SNAI2 binds to the E-box in ITGA3 promoter and represses its transcription. It is involved in the regulation of ITGB1 and ITGB4 expression and cell adhesion and proliferation in epidermal keratinocytes. SNAI2 binds to the E-box2 domain of BSG and activates its expression during TGFB1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in hepatocytes. It represses E-Cadherin/CDH1 transcription via E-box elements. SNAI2 is involved in osteoblast maturation. It binds to RUNX2 and SOC9 promoters and may act as a positive and negative transcription regulator, respectively, in osteoblasts. SNAI2 binds to CXCL12 promoter via E-box regions in mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts. It plays an essential role in TWIST1-induced EMT and its ability to promote invasion and metastasis.
SNAI2 is also known as SLUG, SLUGH, SLUGH1, SNAIL2, WS2D.
