MEIS2
Description
The MEIS2 (Meis homeobox 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 15.
The MEIS2 gene encodes a homeobox protein belonging to the TALE ('three amino acid loop extension') family of homeodomain-containing proteins. TALE homeobox proteins are highly conserved transcription regulators, and several members have been shown to be essential contributors to developmental programs. Multiple transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been described for this gene.
MEIS2 is involved in transcriptional regulation. It binds to HOX or PBX proteins to form dimers, or to a DNA-bound dimer of PBX and HOX proteins, potentially stabilizing the homeoprotein-DNA complex. MEIS2 isoform 3 is essential for the activity of a PDX1:PBX1b:MEIS2b complex in pancreatic acinar cells, which activates the ELA1 enhancer by binding to the enhancer B element and cooperating with the PTF1 complex bound to the enhancer A element. MEIS2 itself does not bind DNA in this complex. MEIS2, possibly in complex with PBX1, participates in transcriptional regulation by KLF4. Isoforms 3 and 4 can bind to the EPHA8 promoter sequence containing the DNA motif 5'-CGGTCA-3', and are thought to activate EPHA8 transcription in the developing midbrain in collaboration with a PBX protein like PBX2. MEIS2 might be involved in regulating myeloid differentiation. It can bind to the DNA sequence 5'-TGACAG-3' in the ACT sequence of the D(1A) dopamine receptor (DRD1) promoter, activating DRD1 transcription; however, isoform 5 cannot activate DRD1 transcription.
MEIS2 is also known as CPCMR, HsT18361, MRG1.
Associated Diseases
- Cleft palate, cardiac defects, and mental retardation
- Cleft palate-congenital heart defect-intellectual disability syndrome due to 15q14 microdeletion
