PCGF2
Description
The PCGF2 (polycomb group ring finger 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 17.
PCGF2, also known as MEL18 or RNF110, is a protein encoded by the PCGF2 gene in humans. It contains a RING finger motif and is a component of the canonical PRC1 complex, which includes RING1A/B, CBX2/CBX4, and polyhomeotic (PHC) proteins. This complex binds to chromatin via the chromodomain of the CBX subunit, recognizing the H3K27me3 mark deposited by PRC2. Canonical PRC1 complexes compact chromatin and mediate higher-order chromatin structures. Polycomb complexes repress the transcription of genes involved in embryogenesis, cell cycles, and tumorigenesis. PCGF2 acts as a negative regulator of transcription and has tumor suppressor activity. Its expression is detected in various tumor cells but is limited in neural organs in normal tissues. Knockout studies in mice suggest that PCGF2 negatively regulates the expression of different cytokines, chemokines, and chemokine receptors, playing a crucial role in lymphocyte differentiation, migration, and immune responses.
PCGF2 is a transcriptional repressor that binds specifically to the DNA sequence 5'-GACTNGACT-3'. It exhibits tumor suppressor activity and may play a role in controlling cell proliferation and neural cell development. PCGF2 regulates the proliferation of early T progenitor cells by maintaining the expression of HES1. Additionally, it contributes to the antero-posterior specification of the axial skeleton and negatively regulates the self-renewal activity of hematopoietic stem cells. PCGF2 is a component of a Polycomb group (PcG) multiprotein PRC1-like complex, a complex class necessary for maintaining the transcriptionally repressive state of numerous genes, including Hox genes, throughout development. The PcG PRC1 complex functions through chromatin remodeling and histone modification; it mediates monoubiquitination of histone H2A 'Lys-119', resulting in heritable changes in chromatin expressibility. Within the PRC1-like complex, PCGF2 regulates RNF2 ubiquitin ligase activity.
PCGF2 is also known as MEL-18, RNF110, TPFS, ZNF144.
