USF2 — Upstream Transcription Factor 2

USF2 — Upstream Transcription Factor 2

<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr><th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">USF2 — Upstream Transcription Factor 2</th></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Symbol</td><td><strong>USF2</strong></td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Full Name</td><td>Upstream Transcription Factor 2</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Chromosome</td><td>19q13</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">NCBI Gene</td><td><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/7402" target="_blank">7402</a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Ensembl</td><td>ENSG00000170608</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">OMIM</td><td><a href="https://omim.org/entry/601235" target="_blank">601235</a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">UniProt</td><td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q13428" target="_blank">Q13428</a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Protein Class</td><td>bHLHZ Transcription Factor</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Expression</td><td>Cerebral [cortex](/brain-regions/cortex), [Hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus), Liver, Muscle, Widespread</td></tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/breast-cancer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Breast Cancer</a>, <a href="/wiki/cancer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Cancer</a>, <a href="/wiki/tumor" style="color:#ef9a9a">Tumor</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">10 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>

USF2 — Upstream Transcription Factor 2

Introduction

...

USF2 — Upstream Transcription Factor 2

<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr><th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">USF2 — Upstream Transcription Factor 2</th></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Symbol</td><td><strong>USF2</strong></td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Full Name</td><td>Upstream Transcription Factor 2</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Chromosome</td><td>19q13</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">NCBI Gene</td><td><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/7402" target="_blank">7402</a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Ensembl</td><td>ENSG00000170608</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">OMIM</td><td><a href="https://omim.org/entry/601235" target="_blank">601235</a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">UniProt</td><td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q13428" target="_blank">Q13428</a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Protein Class</td><td>bHLHZ Transcription Factor</td></tr>
<tr><td class="label">Expression</td><td>Cerebral [cortex](/brain-regions/cortex), [Hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus), Liver, Muscle, Widespread</td></tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/breast-cancer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Breast Cancer</a>, <a href="/wiki/cancer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Cancer</a>, <a href="/wiki/tumor" style="color:#ef9a9a">Tumor</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">10 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>

USF2 — Upstream Transcription Factor 2

Introduction

Usf2 — Upstream Transcription Factor 2 is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

Overview

USF2 (Upstream Transcription Factor 2) is a gene located on chromosome 19q13 encoding a member of the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper (bHLHZ) transcription factor family["@ref"]. USF2 functions as a transcriptional regulator binding to the E-box consensus sequence (CANNTG) and plays important roles in energy metabolism, stress responses, and neuronal function["^2"]. The gene is catalogued as NCBI Gene ID 7402.

Gene Overview

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Gene Symbol | USF2 |
| Full Name | Upstream Transcription Factor 2 |
| Chromosomal Location | 19q13 |
| NCBI Gene ID | 7402 |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000170608 |
| OMIM ID | 601235 |
| UniProt ID | Q13428 |
| Protein Length | 346 amino acids |
| Molecular Weight | ~38 kDa |

Protein Structure

USF2 contains several functional domains:

• Basic region: DNA-binding domain that contacts the E-box consensus sequence
• Helix-loop-helix domain: Mediates protein dimerization
• Leucine zipper domain: Stabilizes dimer formation
• Transactivation domain: At the C-terminus, interacts with coactivators

USF2 forms homodimers or heterodimers with USF1 and other bHLHZ proteins[^3].

Normal Function

Transcriptional Regulation

USF2 regulates numerous target genes:

• Metabolic genes: Gluconeogenic enzymes, glycolysis enzymes
• Stress response genes: [Heat shock proteins](/entities/heat-shock-proteins), antioxidant enzymes
• Cell cycle regulators: Cyclins, CDK inhibitors
• Neuronal genes: Synaptic proteins, neurotrophic factors

Tissue Distribution

USF2 is ubiquitously expressed with high levels in:

• Brain: Cerebral cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus
• Liver: Hepatocytes
• Skeletal muscle: Muscle fibers
• Adipose tissue: Adipocytes

Role in Neurons

• Energy metabolism: Regulates glucose metabolism genes
• Stress response: Controls expression of antioxidant enzymes
• Synaptic function: Modulates synaptic protein expression
• Circadian regulation: Part of the circadian transcription machinery

Disease Associations

Alzheimer's Disease

USF2 has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease:

• Amyloid metabolism: USF2 regulates [APP](/entities/app-protein) processing and [A-beta](/proteins/amyloid-beta) production
• Energy metabolism: Altered USF2 activity affects neuronal energy homeostasis
• Oxidative stress: USF2 controls antioxidant gene expression
• Gene expression studies: USF2 expression altered in AD brains

Metabolic Disorders

• Type 2 diabetes: USF2 involved in glucose metabolism dysregulation
• Obesity: Altered USF2 expression in metabolic syndrome
• Fatty liver disease: USF2 regulates lipogenic genes

Cancer

• Metabolic reprogramming: USF2 affects cancer cell metabolism
• Proliferation: Controls cell cycle genes in cancer

Molecular Interactions

USF2 interacts with:

• Transcription factors: USF1, c-Myc, Max
• Coactivators: CBP/p300, PCAF
• Corepressors: HDACs, NCoR
• Chromatin remodelers: SWI/SNF complex

Therapeutic Implications

Therapeutic Targets

• Transcription factor modulators: Compounds affecting USF2 DNA binding
• Metabolic modulators: Drugs targeting USF2-regulated metabolic pathways
• Combination therapies: USF2 modulation with other AD treatments

Biomarkers

• Expression biomarkers: USF2 levels in blood or CSF as disease marker
• Genetic markers: USF2 polymorphisms as risk modifiers

Brain Atlas Resources

• [Allen Brain Atlas: USF2 expression](https://human.brain-map.org/microarray/search/show?search_term=USF2)
• [Allen Mouse Brain Atlas: Usf2](https://mouse.brain-map.org/search/index.html?query=Usf2)
• [Allen Cell Type Atlas](https://portal.brain-map.org/atlases-and-data/rnaseq)
• [BrainSpan: Developmental expression](https://www.brainspan.org)

Background

The study of Usf2 — Upstream Transcription Factor 2 has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.

Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.

Cross-References

• [Genes Index](/genes)
• [USF1 — Upstream Transcription Factor 1](/genes/usf1)
• [Transcription Factors](/mechanisms/transcription-regulation)
• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [Amyloid Precursor Protein](/genes/app)

See Also

• [Genes Index](/genes)
• [Proteins Index](/proteins)
• [Mechanisms Index](/mechanisms)

External Links

• [NCBI Gene: USF2](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/7402)
• [UniProt: Q13428](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q13428)
• [OMIM: 601235](https://omim.org/entry/601235)
• [Ensembl: ENSG00000170608](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000170608)

References

Unknown, : : (n.d.)