POU3F2
Description
The POU3F2 (POU class 3 homeobox 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 6.
POU domain, class 3, transcription factor 2 (POU3F2) is a protein encoded by the POU3F2 gene. It belongs to a family of transcription factors that bind to the octameric DNA sequence ATGCAAAT. These proteins share a homologous region called the POU domain, found in other transcription factors like Oct1 (POU2F1), Oct2 (POU2F2), and Pit1 (PIT1). Class III POU genes are mainly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and likely play a crucial role in mammalian neurogenesis by regulating gene expression patterns. POU3F2 has been linked to Bipolar disorder and is involved in neocortex development in mice. A specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), Rs1906252, is associated with cognitive processing speed. Deletions on chromosome 6q16.1, leading to loss of one copy of POU3F2, have been linked to a syndrome characterized by obesity, developmental delays, and intellectual disability. POU3F2 interacts with PQBP1.
POU3F2, also known as BRN2, is a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in neuronal differentiation. It binds to specific DNA sequences, composed of two distinct half-sites ('GCAT' and 'TAAT') separated by a variable spacer region. When cooperating with SOX4, SOX11, or SOX12, it acts as a transcriptional activator, boosting gene expression. Notably, the combination of ASCL1, POU3F2/BRN2, and MYT1L has the remarkable ability to transform fibroblasts and other somatic cells into induced neurons (iN) in a laboratory setting. Operating downstream of ASCL1, POU3F2 gains access to chromatin regions made accessible by ASCL1, promoting the transcription of neuronal genes.
POU3F2 is also known as BRN2, N-Oct3, OCT7, OTF-7, OTF7, POUF3, brn-2, oct-7.
